Total EV Sales are Tanking in 2026 – But These Models Have YOY Growth

Since the Trump administration repealed the Clean Vehicle Tax Credit, eliminating a $7,500 federal subsidy for qualified buyers, EV sales have collapsed in the United States. After hitting an all-time high of 437,487 in Q3 last year, EV unit sales plunged by nearly 50% the following quarter. This year, however, there has been steady growth in consumer demand for EVs, with sales volume rising each quarter, topping 250,000 units in Q3 for the first time in a year. 

But while the EV segment is steadily regaining traction in the United States, most automakers have yet to see sales return to last year’s levels. According to a recent report from Cox Automotive, EV sales are down 56% for Chevrolet, 63% for Honda, 68% for Ford, and 88% for Nissan year-to-date, compared to the same 9 month period in 2025. These brands are only four among a list of 20 to report double digit year-over-year sales declines. 

Still, breaking from the broader trend, a handful of automakers have had some success in the EV segment in 2026. Even without any federal tax incentives, certain EV models are selling better this year than they did in 2025. 

Using data from Cox Automotive, Climate Crisis 247 identified the EV models with the largest year-over-year sales increases. We ranked all EV models with available data on the relative change in unit sales between the first 9 months of 2025 and the first 9 months of 2026. Only models with a sales volume of at least 100 units in the first three quarters of last year were considered. Supplemental data on MSRP range are as reported by Car and Driver, an auto industry publication. 

9. Mercedes EQS

• Change in unit sales Q1-Q3 2025 to Q1-Q3 2026: +8.8% (+115 units)
• Total unit sales, year-to-date: 1,423 in 2026 (1,308 in 2025)
• Market share in 2026: 0.2% of EV segment (24.9% of Mercedes EVs)
• Vehicle type and MSRP: Sedan; $108,000 – $125,350 

 8. Cadillac Vistiq

• Change in unit sales Q1-Q3 2025 to Q1-Q3 2026: +14.5% (+821 units)
• Total unit sales, year-to-date: 6,490 in 2026 (5,669 in 2025)
• Market share in 2026: 0.9% of EV segment (19.0% of Cadillac EVs)
• Vehicle type and MSRP: SUV; $79,495 – $98,595 

 7. Volvo EX40

• Change in unit sales Q1-Q3 2025 to Q1-Q3 2026: +16.2% (+95 units)
• Total unit sales, year-to-date: 683 in 2026 (588 in 2025)
• Market share in 2026: 0.1% of EV segment (11.8% of Volvo EVs)
• Vehicle type and MSRP: Compact SUV; $56,545 – $62,245 

 6. Cadillac Optiq

• Change in unit sales Q1-Q3 2025 to Q1-Q3 2026: +18.4% (+1,807 units)
• Total unit sales, year-to-date: 11,633 in 2026 (9,826 in 2025)
• Market share in 2026: 1.6% of EV segment (34.1% of Cadillac EVs)
• Vehicle type and MSRP: Compact SUV; $51,790 – $69,295 

 5. Hyundai Ioniq9

• Change in unit sales Q1-Q3 2025 to Q1-Q3 2026: +56.1% (+2,344 units)
• Total unit sales, year-to-date: 6,521 in 2026 (4,177 in 2025)
• Market share in 2026: 0.9% of EV segment (16.7% of Hyundai EVs)
• Vehicle type and MSRP: SUV; $61,000 – $85,000 

 4. Mercedes E-Sprinter

• Change in unit sales Q1-Q3 2025 to Q1-Q3 2026: +90.2% (+433 units)
• Total unit sales, year-to-date: 913 in 2026 (480 in 2025)
• Market share in 2026: 0.1% of EV segment (16.0% of Mercedes EVs)
• Vehicle type and MSRP: Cargo van; $61,180 – $76,990 

 3. Lexus RZ

• Change in unit sales Q1-Q3 2025 to Q1-Q3 2026: +91.3% (+4,874 units)
• Total unit sales, year-to-date: 10,214 in 2026 (5,340 in 2025)
• Market share in 2026: 1.4% of EV segment (80.6% of Lexus EVs)
• Vehicle type and MSRP: Compact SUV; $48,000 – $59,000 

 2. Toyota BZ

• Change in unit sales Q1-Q3 2025 to Q1-Q3 2026: +103.4% (+12,680 units)
• Total unit sales, year-to-date: 24,944 in 2026 (12,264 in 2025)
• Market share in 2026: 3.4% of EV segment (71.8% of Toyota EVs)
• Vehicle type and MSRP: Compact SUV; $36,575 – $46,975 

 1. Rivian EDV500/700

• Change in unit sales Q1-Q3 2025 to Q1-Q3 2026: +130.4% (+8,876 units)
• Total unit sales, year-to-date: 15,685 in 2026 (6,809 in 2025)
• Market share in 2026: 2.2% of EV segment (38.2% of Rivian EVs)
• Vehicle type and MSRP: Cargo van; $79,900 – $83,900 

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