These EV Models Have Surging Sales

By Sam Stebbins  •  April 17, 2026
Rows of sleek electric cars parked outdoors, showcasing automotive design and innovation.
Photo by Luke Miller on Pexels

Over the last six months, electric vehicle sales have cratered in the United States. In September 2025, the Trump administration terminated an incentive program that granted a $7,500 tax credit to qualified EV buyers, and ever since, consumer demand has plummeted. 

In the fourth quarter of last year, Americans bought only 234,000 EVs, a 46% decline from Q3’s all-time high sales volume of 438,400 units. In 2026, the market has continued to deteriorate. EV sales fell again to just 216,399 units in the United States during the first quarter, according to a recent report from Cox Automotive. The collapse in demand, in addition to uncertainty surrounding Trump administration tariffs, has driven many major automakers to pull existing models from their lineup, or cancel the introduction of new EV models. Newly released industry data show that multiple brands – including Audi, Dodge, Genesis, Nissan, and Volkswagen – have seen a more than 80% drop in unit sales year-over-year, from Q1 2025 to Q1 2026.

Whether or not the broader U.S. EV market can bounce back remains to be seen. But despite ongoing challenges, there are still several EV models that have grown in popularity over the last 12 months, reporting sales volume growth that has bucked the prevailing industry trend. 

Using data from Cox Automotive, Climate Crisis 247 identified the EV models that have reported the largest year-over-year sales growth. EVs are ranked on the relative change in sales volume between Q1 2025 and Q1 2026. We only considered models with at least 1,000 unit sales in the first three months of last year. Supplemental data on MSRP and estimated range for the EVs on this list are as reported by Car and Driver. 

Among the nine EV models on this list, year-over-year sales growth ranges from 2.6% to more than 200%. The growing popularity of many of these vehicles may be attributable in part to their relative affordability, despite the absence of federal tax incentives. According to Cox Automotive, the average transaction price for a new EV was $54,508 in March 2026. All but three EV models on this list, meanwhile, have a base MSRP of less than $53,000. 

9. Rivian R1S

  • Quarterly sales change year-over-year: +2.6% (+137 units)
  • Sales volume in Q1 2026: 5,494 units (2.5% of EV market)
  • Sales volume in Q1 2025: 5,357 units (1.8% of EV market)
  • MSRP: $78,885 – $127,885
  • Estimated range on a single charge: 258-410 miles

8. GMC Sierra EV

  • Quarterly sales change year-over-year: +3.1% (+39 units)
  • Sales volume in Q1 2026: 1,288 units (0.6% of EV market)
  • Sales volume in Q1 2025: 1,249 units (0.4% of EV market)
  • MSRP: $64,995 – $101,195
  • Estimated range on a single charge: 283-410 miles

7. Hyundai Ioniq5

  • Quarterly sales change year-over-year: +13.7% (+1,179 units)
  • Sales volume in Q1 2026: 9,790 units (4.5% of EV market)
  • Sales volume in Q1 2025: 8,611 units (2.9% of EV market)
  • MSRP: $36,600 – $50,575
  • Estimated range on a single charge: 245-318 miles

6. Volvo EX30

  • Quarterly sales change year-over-year: +15.9% (+188 units)
  • Sales volume in Q1 2026: 1,373 units (0.6% of EV market)
  • Sales volume in Q1 2025: 1,185 units (0.4% of EV market)
  • MSRP: $40,345 – $49,545
  • Estimated range on a single charge: 227-261 miles
A couple of cars are parked inside of a building
Photo by Maxim on Unsplash

5. Tesla Model Y

  • Quarterly sales change year-over-year: +22.7% (+14,540 units)
  • Sales volume in Q1 2026: 78,591 units (36.3% of EV market)
  • Sales volume in Q1 2025: 64,051 units (21.6% of EV market)
  • MSRP: $41,630 – $61,630
  • Estimated range on a single charge: 94-357 miles

4. Cadillac Optiq

  • Quarterly sales change year-over-year: +65.9% (+1,131 units)
  • Sales volume in Q1 2026: 2,847 units (1.3% of EV market)
  • Sales volume in Q1 2025: 1,716 units (0.6% of EV market)
  • MSRP: $52,695 – $69,095
  • Estimated range on a single charge: 278-317 miles

3. Toyota BZ

  • Quarterly sales change year-over-year: +78.8% (+4,419 units)
  • Sales volume in Q1 2026: 10,029 units (4.6% of EV market)
  • Sales volume in Q1 2025: 5,610 units (1.9% of EV market)
  • MSRP: $36,350 – $46,750
  • Estimated range on a single charge: 236-314 miles

2. Rivian EDV500/700

  • Quarterly sales change year-over-year: +118.7% (+1,744 units)
  • Sales volume in Q1 2026: 3,213 units (1.5% of EV market)
  • Sales volume in Q1 2025: 1,469 units (0.5% of EV market)
  • MSRP: $79,900 – $83,900
  • Estimated range on a single charge: 153-161 miles

1. Lexus RZ

  • Quarterly sales change year-over-year: +206.7% (+3,002 units)
  • Sales volume in Q1 2026: 4,456 units (2.1% of EV market)
  • Sales volume in Q1 2025: 1,454 units (0.5% of EV market)
  • MSRP: $47,295 – $58,295
  • Estimated range on a single charge: 229-301 miles


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