EV sales are normalizing in the US – and TAKING OFF everywhere else
SkimNews Take
The "normalizing" US frame risks obscuring the real story: the global growth engine is shifting toward Chinese brands in emerging markets, while US figures are rebounding only off a tax-credit-distorted baseline — not signaling genuine demand acceleration.
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- Global EV sales hit a record 2 million deliveries in June, led by a surging European market
- Chinese EV brands are expanding into Southeast Asia, South America, and Africa with more affordable models
- US EV sales are still down from last year's peak but jumped more than 20% from the prior month as the post-credit hangover eases
- The Q4 2025 expiration of the Federal Tax Credit created a "pull-ahead" distortion that is now losing its grip on US sales numbers
- California rolled out a new $3,500 EV rebate structured to favor Rivian and Lucid over Tesla
Why it matters: Europe is now decisively outpacing the US on EV adoption while Chinese automakers capture growth markets across three continents, meaning Tesla and Detroit lose ground both domestically and abroad. California's $3,500 rebate specifically sidelines Tesla in favor of Rivian and Lucid, tightening the squeeze on the market leader in its home state.
