NY Times: EV Transition Can Be Slowed But Never Stopped

On August 4, 2025, The New York Times reported that the attempts by the President and Congress to discourage buying of electric vehicles in the US won’t work, over the long term. Kelley Blue Book picked up the New York Times Story, in case you don’t have a NYT subscription. Referring to electric vehicles, the NYT article said: “Carmakers that ignore this fast-growing market may not be in business 10 years from now,” echoing past statements by EVinfo.net. This means carmakers cannot, and will not, stop producing EVs, if they want to remain in business.

Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S. are experiencing a sales growth slowdown, compared to the heyday they had a few years ago. Tesla, the longtime EV leader, saw a 14 percent drop in deliveries last quarter, and legacy automakers like General Motors are ramping up production of large gas-powered trucks and SUVs. With government eliminating key incentives, including federal tax credits of up to $7,500, electric vehicles have lost political support in Washington, and with it, some of their market momentum.

The administration reversed many EV-friendly policies established under forward-thinking President Biden, including a goal for EVs to make up half of new car sales by 2030.

Automakers are responding. GM, for example, is investing nearly $1 billion to expand V-8 engine production, a signal that internal combustion vehicles may have a longer future in the U.S. market. The company’s CEO, Mary Barra, acknowledged the shift, saying gasoline-powered vehicles now have “a longer runway.”

Yet globally, EVs are thriving. Worldwide sales rose 28 percent in the first half of 2025, hitting 9.1 million vehicles, while U.S. sales crept up just 1.5 percent. Automakers know that if they hope to stay competitive, they can’t abandon electrification. “Despite slower EV industry growth, we believe the long-term future is profitable electric vehicle production,” Barra said.

In fact, some electric models are still gaining traction. GM more than doubled its EV sales last quarter, boosted by strong demand for its $35,000 Chevrolet Equinox EV. Hyundai and Kia are also finding success with sleek, SUV-style EVs that appeal to mainstream consumers.

States, Advocacy Groups and EV Charging Companies Plowing Forward

While the U.S. federal government is pulling back, many states are stepping up. California offers up to $12,000 in EV rebates for qualifying low-income buyers trading in older gas-powered cars. New York announced that more than $21 million in funding is now available to support community-led, zero-emission mobility solutions across the state, projects that bring affordable, scalable mobility options like e-bikes, scooters, shared EVs, and on-demand micro-transit to communities, especially those historically underserved.

Utilities and local governments across the country continue to provide incentives. Kelley Blue Book breaks down EV incentives in every state, in this handy guide.

EV advocacy groups are investing heavily in public awareness. Electrify America, a subsidiary of Volkswagen, launched a $43.5 million campaign this summer featuring actor Nick Offerman to highlight EVs’ low maintenance and operating costs.

Led by the nonprofit EV adoption group Veloz, the campaign will run across all 50 states, targeting consumers planning to buy a new vehicle in the next six months to two years.

Despite no official link to the recent policy changes, Veloz Executive Director Josh D. Boone called it “good timing,” noting that “more Americans are interested in EVs than ever” but need accurate information. The campaign encourages drivers to take advantage of remaining federal credits and emphasizes ongoing state and local incentives, plus long-term benefits like lower fuel and maintenance costs.

Continued EV Charging Growth in 2025

Infrastructure growth is also continuing to grow despite reduced federal support. Paren Inc.’s Q2 2025 State of the Industry Report, released last week, reveals that U.S. DC fast charging (DCFC) infrastructure is on track for record growth this year, with a projected 19% year-over-year increase in port deployment.

“2025 is going to be a record year for deployment of DC fast charging ports — and 2024 was already the highest year on record,” said Loren McDonald, chief analyst at Paren. “Charging 2.0 players are deploying new — and larger — stations at a breakneck pace.”

Robert Barrosa, CEO of Electrify America, said that some of the company’s stations were in almost constant use, and there are still not enough chargers to satisfy demand. That situation provides a strong incentive to keep building more.

“When you look at this more from a global perspective, the EV space is taking off,” said Barrosa. “As much as people may try to push back against it, it’s coming.”

Erin Keating, an analyst who once described herself as an EV skeptic, said she was won over by Hyundai’s Ioniq 9: “It doesn’t look like a spaceship—it looks familiar.”

Keating said she expected sales of electric vehicles to grow gradually as more people similar to her become comfortable with the eco-friendly, cost-saving technology.

Lower Tariff Impact

Tariffs are also reshaping the landscape. Ironically, EVs may weather new tariffs better than traditional vehicles, since many of their components are sourced domestically. Six of the ten most American-made vehicles are electric, including four Tesla models and U.S.-built versions of the Volkswagen ID.4 and Kia EV6.

“Certainly the more that a vehicle uses U.S. parts, the less impacted they are by tariffs,” said David Greene, an industry analyst at Cars.com.

AVs Favor Electric

The rise of autonomous driving technology gives electric vehicles a distinct advantage, as their fully electronic systems make it significantly easier to integrate self-driving software. Unlike traditional gas-powered cars, which rely on mechanical components that require more complex adaptations, EVs offer a streamlined digital architecture better suited for the sensors, processors, and real-time data needed for autonomous functions. This compatibility positions EVs as the natural platform for future advancements in driverless technology.

Georgetown University’s Anil Khurana said: “If you don’t electrify fast enough, you’re also losing out on the autonomous transition, whenever that happens.”

EVs Will Win, Despite Challenges

The challenges ahead are real. EVs remain expensive to produce, and profitability is still out of reach for most automakers. Ford reported a $1.3 billion loss on EVs in the second quarter, though the company is inching toward break-even. But the global shift toward electrification, and the parallel development of autonomous vehicle technology, gives EVs a strategic advantage in the long run.

EVinfo.net’s Take: Despite Headwinds, America’s EV Future Is Not off Course, It’s Just Taking a Detour

EVinfo.net agrees with Jack Ewing’s New York Times article. In regards to EV adoption, we’ve been saying at EVinfo.net that “Carmakers that ignore this fast-growing market may not be in business 10 years from now,” since our founding in 2022.

In the US, we predict that EV sales growth will slow down again after the federal EV tax credits are cut. But soon after, EV sales will bounce back up in the US.

Electric vehicles (EVs) have emerged as the most eco-friendly and cost-effective option for drivers. With zero tailpipe emissions and increasingly efficient manufacturing processes, EVs significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. In regions where electricity is generated from renewable sources, the environmental benefits are even greater.

But going electric isn’t just good for the planet, it’s also easier on your wallet. EVs typically have lower fueling costs, saving drivers hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year compared to gas-powered vehicles. Charging at home or at public stations is cheaper per mile than buying gasoline. EVs also have fewer moving parts, which means lower maintenance costs. No oil changes, no exhaust system repairs, no fuel filters, just smooth, quiet, reliable driving.

As battery technology improves and production scales up, the upfront cost of EVs continues to fall. Add to that the availability of state and local incentives, and many EVs are now competitively priced with traditional cars. Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, cut long-term expenses, or drive the latest tech-forward models, electric vehicles offer a smart and sustainable solution for modern mobility.