EVs Americans Are Abandoning in 2025
https://climate-crisis-247-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/07205231/9800009-150x150.jpegElectric vehicle sales have been rising steadily for years in the United States. Last year, EVs accounted for about 9% of domestic auto sales, up from fewer than 2% as recently as 2019. The trend has continued into 2025, as Americans bought a total of 607,089 EVs in the first half of the year – a new record high and a 1.5% increase over the first half of 2024.
Growing EV adoption has likely been fueled in part by government incentives. Even though EVs typically have higher sticker prices than comparable internal combustion engine vehicles, eligible buyers can access up to $7,500 in federal tax credits – a benefit that goes a long way to reducing, or eliminating, the price gap.
Under a new law passed by the Trump administration, however, federal tax incentives designed to encourage the transition to EVs are now set to expire at the end of September 2025. How the new policy will ultimately impact EV sales in the U.S. remains to be seen, but many industry commentators expect headwinds for the domestic EV market in the coming months.
But even as EV sales are up year-over-year and the tax incentive program currently remains in place, certain EV models have reported a steep drop off in sales volume. From luxury automakers like Audi and Mercedes, to those targeting a larger market, like Hyundai and Kia, several EV nameplates sold thousands of fewer units in the first half of 2025 than in the first half of last year.
Using data from Cox Automotive, Climate Crisis 247 identified the EVs Americans are abandoning in 2025. Supplemental data on estimated range and base MSRP for each vehicle’s 2025 model year are from Car and Driver, an auto industry publication. Vehicle nameplates that were discontinued before the 2025 model year were not considered in this analysis. Each of the 11 EV models on this list have reported a year-over-year sales decline of over 40% in the first half of 2025.
11. Hyundai Kona
- Year-over-year change in sales volume: -42.4% (-1,456 units)
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2025: 1,980 units
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2024: 3,436 units
- Approx. base MSRP: $34,470
- EPA estimated range on a full charge: 200–261 miles
10. Tesla Model X
- Year-over-year change in sales volume: -44.9% (-5,463 units)
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2025: 6,714 units
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2024: 12,177 units
- Approx. base MSRP: $86,630
- EPA estimated range on a full charge: 314–329 miles
9. Genesis G80
- Year-over-year change in sales volume: -45.0% (-63 units)
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2025: 77 units
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2024: 140 units
- Approx. base MSRP: $76,225
- EPA estimated range on a full charge: 282 miles
8. Kia EV6
- Year-over-year change in sales volume: -46.3% (-5,066 units)
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2025: 5,875 units
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2024: 10,941 units
- Approx. base MSRP: $44,395
- EPA estimated range on a full charge: 231–319 miles
7. Rivian R1T
- Year-over-year change in sales volume: -47.0% (-3,091 units)
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2025: 3,479 units
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2024: 6,570 units
- Approx. base MSRP: $71,700
- EPA estimated range on a full charge: 258–420 miles
6. Kia EV9
- Year-over-year change in sales volume: -48.9% (-4,733 units)
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2025: 4,938 units
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2024: 9,671 units
- Approx. base MSRP: $56,395
- EPA estimated range on a full charge: 230–304 miles
5. Kia Niro
- Year-over-year change in sales volume: -68.3% (-6,078 units)
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2025: 2,818 units
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2024: 8,896 units
- Approx. base MSRP: $41,045
- EPA estimated range on a full charge: 253 miles
4. Tesla Model S
- Year-over-year change in sales volume: -70.3% (-6,419 units)
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2025: 2,715 units
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2024: 9,134 units
- Approx. base MSRP: $81,630
- EPA estimated range on a full charge: 348–410 miles
3. Mercedes EQE
- Year-over-year change in sales volume: -74.5% (-6,724 units)
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2025: 2,300 units
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2024: 9,024 units
- Approx. base MSRP: $76,050
- EPA estimated range on a full charge: 266–308 miles
2. Mercedes EQS
- Year-over-year change in sales volume: -80.3% (-4,101 units)
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2025: 1,007 units
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2024: 5,108 units
- Approx. base MSRP: $105,550
- EPA estimated range on a full charge: 367–390 miles
1. Audi Q8 e-tron
- Year-over-year change in sales volume: -82.2% (-3,796 units)
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2025: 824 units
- U.S. sales volume in the first half of 2024: 4,620 units
- Approx. base MSRP: $76,095
- EPA estimated range on a full charge: 285–296 miles