Global EV sales continued building momentum last month despite claims of a cooling market. Sales of electric vehicles grew by double digits in the top markets globally. China, the world’s largest EV market, continues to break sales records despite ending subsidies.
According to market research firm Rho Motion (via Reuters), EV sales grew 29% year-to-date in China in October.
“What’s notable about October’s figures is that EV demand in China continues to reach record highs even though the subsidies were cut,” the company said in a statement.
The growth comes amid China ending an 11-year subsidy for EV buyers last year. Despite this, Rho Motion claims, “2023 is set to be another banner year for China in terms of EV sales.”
Leading Chinese EV maker BYD has continued building momentum this year. The company came within a few thousand of surpassing Tesla as the world’s largest EV maker in the third quarter.
BYD sold a record 151,193 all-electric vehicles in September, for a total of 431,603 in Q3. Meanwhile, Tesla delivered 435,059 EVs in the quarter as it aims to reach its goal of 1.8 million this year.
Like Tesla, BYD has aggressively cut prices this year to drive out a flurry of new competitors and stimulate demand.
Despite the lower prices, BYD posted a record $1.42 billion in third-quarter profits. The company’s gross margins reached 22.12%, its highest in three years.
BYD Atto 3 (Source: BYD)
So, is EV adoption slowing, as many are claiming? The data suggests otherwise…
Is EV sales momentum really slowing?
Despite claims that demand for EVs is cooling, the global electric vehicle market grew 34% year-to-date last month.
The top auto markets had double-digit EV sales growth. Outside of China, EV sales grew 26% in European markets, where subsidies were also cut recently.
Several automakers, including Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, have warned that higher interest rates and inflation are turning customers away. Volkswagen’s CFO Arno Antiliz said EV orders were down to 150,000 in Q3, 50% lower than last year.
2023 Volkswagen ID.4 (Source: VW)
In response, Volkswagen has cut production of several EV models in Germany, including the ID.4, ID.7, and Audi Q4 e-tron.
Meanwhile, Chinese automakers, including BYD, are expanding in Europe with affordable EV models like the Dolphin hatchback.
EV sales in North America are up 78% so far this year. “The North American market continues to have a strong 2023, with Tesla still taking the lion’s share of demand as legacy automakers temper ambitions of scaling production,” Rho Motion said.
US electric vehicle market
According to recent Cox Automotive data, US EV sales surpassed 300,000 for the first time in Q3. EV sales in the US have now grown for 13 straight quarters.
EV sales accounted for 7.9% of total US auto sales in Q3 with Tesla remaining on top. Tesla accounted for 50% market share, down from 62% in the first quarter. With the highly-awaited Cybertruck launching, momentum is expected to continue.
Q3 2023 US sales
Q3 2022
YOY
Q3 Market Share
Audi
7,538
3,891
93.7%
2.4%
BMW
13,079
4,365
199.6%
4.2%
BrightDrop
35
–
0%
0%
Cadillac
3,018
36
0%
1%
Chevrolet
15,872
14,709
7.9%
5.1%
Ford
20,962
18,257
14.8%
6.7%
Genesis
1,802
888
102.9%
0.6%
GMC
1,167
411
183.9%
0.4%
Fisker
997
–
0%
0.3%
Hyundai
19,630
5,824
237.1%
6.3%
Jaguar
86
22
290.9%
0%
Kia
9,325
5,583
67%
3%
Lexus
1,394
–
0%
0.4%
Lucid
1,618
654
147.4%
0.5%
Mazda
34
8
325%
0%
Mercedes
10,423
2,717
283.6%
3.3%
Mini
516
1,105
-53.3%
0.2%
Nissan
6,074
1,276
376%
1.9%
Polestar
3,710
2,852
30.1%
1.2%
Porsche
2,050
1,325
54.7%
0.7%
Rivian
15,564
6,884
126.1%
5%
Subaru
2,791
–
0%
0.9%
Tesla
156,621
131,024
19.5%
50%
Toyota
2,827
–
0%
0.9%
VinFast
1,159
–
0%
0.4%
Volvo
4,087
542
654.1%
1.3%
Volkswagen
10,707
6,657
60-.8%
3.4%
US electric vehicles sales Q3 (Source: Cox Automotive)
Despite this, with new EV models hitting the market, Tesla’s share of the market is bound to slip. Overseas competitors including Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and Hyundai are seeing momentum picking up.
Although Ford (20,962) and GM (20,092) sold more EVs, Mercedes topped the American automakers in sales share. Electric vehicles accounted for 15% of Mercedes total US sales, while GM and Ford were around 3% to 4%.
Hyundai IONIQ 5 (left) and IONIQ 6 (right) at Tesla Supercharger (Source: Hyundai)
The growth comes amid delays from top American automakers including Ford and GM on key EV targets.
GM announced it was delaying production of the Equinox, Silverado RST, and GMC Sierra Denalli EVs to protect pricing.
Ford revealed it was pushing back its 600,000 run rate goal until next year. It’s also scapping plans to build one of Europe’s largest EV battery plants with LG Energy Solutions.
Electrek’s Take
So, is EV sales momentum really slowing? Top legacy automakers including Ford, GM, and Volkswagen are warning that the pace of EV adoption is slowing.
Others, including Hyundai and Volvo, expect the momentum to continue with new, advanced models launching next year.
Rivian, an EV startup, raised its production target after crushing Q3 expectations. The company delivered an impressive 15,564 vehicles in the third quarter, more than double last year’s figures.
The fears of slowing demand are over higher interest rates, which could cut into consumer budgets. However, as many EV makers are proving, electric cars are still selling.
Automaker’s that put the early effort in, like Tesla, Rivian, Volvo, and others are seeing the returns.
EV adoption will continue climbing year-over-year despite near-term concerns. The companies doubling down now, will continue reaping the rewards as the industry transitions.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
Tesla used car prices continue to plummet, while the average used car price is increasing. Despite being considered a premium brand, used Tesla vehicles are now cheaper than the used car sale price.
However, when the market started to recover in March 2025, Tesla’s used car prices didn’t. It continued to drop.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
In fact, it has now dropped so much that the average used Tesla vehicle costs less than the average used car on Car Gurus:
This is unprecedented. Although the brand has taken a significant hit over the last year, Tesla is still regarded as a premium brand in the industry. The fact that its average used car sale price would dip below the industry average, which includes inexpensive mass-market vehicles, is quite exceptional.
Used Tesla car prices are now down 4.59% year-over-year, compared to the market average being up 1.22%:
Make/Model
Avg Price
Last 30 days
Last 90 days
Year over Year
CarGurus Index
$28,039
+0.19%
+1.22%
+1.22%
Tesla
$27,814
-1.75%
-4.59%
-4.59%
All Tesla vehicles are down year-over-year, with the Cybertruck unsurprisingly leading the charge.
However, Cybertruck has started to recover in the last few months, along with Model 3.
The Model Y, which is by far Tesla’s most popular model by volume, is dragging the average down as it continues to fall:
Make/Model
Avg Price
Last 30 days
Last 90 days
Year over Year
Cybertruck
$83,963
+0.88%
+0.3%
-30.44%
Model 3
$23,318
+0.2%
+0.75%
-8.04%
Model S
$26,534
-5.48%
-9.53%
-22.61%
Model X
$37,747
-2.33%
-9.24%
-16.8%
Model Y
$29,216
-0.49%
-0.68%
-11.97%
Electrek’s Take
Many Tesla owners have been selling their used vehicles and switching to new brands, increasing the supply and putting pressure on prices.
I expected this, but I didn’t expect the pressure to be so great that prices would dip below the average used prices.
This is significant.
It’s proof that the Tesla brand has taken a massive reputational hit and there’s no clear recovery in sight.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
That new electric Ford pickup we’ve been waiting for is delayed once again. Ford is putting its “groundbreaking” new EV pickup on the back burner as it doubles down on more affordable models.
When is Ford delaying its new electric pickup now?
Ford was expected to begin production on its next electric pickup, codenamed “Project T3,” by the end of this year, with deliveries scheduled to start in 2026.
After pushing back the start of production last year until 2027, Ford confirmed on Thursday that the electric pickup is now delayed even further.
According to Automotive News, Ford has informed suppliers that it has delayed the production of its new electric pickup, initially scheduled for production at its BlueOval City EV assembly plant in Tennessee, until 2028. Several sources close to the matter said Ford is also delaying production of its new electric van.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
Ford now plans to begin building the next-gen E-Transit in Ohio starting in 2028, which was initially slated for 2026.
A company spokesperson confirmed the delay, saying the “F-150 Lightning, America’s best-selling electric truck, and E-Transit continue to meet today’s customer needs.”
2025 Ford F-150 Lightning (Source: Ford)
The statement added that “We remain focused on delivering our Ford+ plan and will be nimble in adjusting our product launch timing to meet market needs and customer demand while targeting improved profitability.”
The move comes as Ford shifts its focus to smaller, more affordable EVs. Earlier this week, Ford opened its new EV Design Center in Long Beach, California, where its team will develop what’s promised to be a highly efficient, low-cost EV platform.
Ford opens new EV design center in Long Beach, California (Source: Ford)
Ford’s team, led by former Tesla engineer Alan Clarke, is filled with ex-Rivian, Lucid, and Apple workers and has grown drastically from what started as a “skunkworks” group.
Like its crosstown rival GM announced this week, Ford will use LFP batteries to cut costs. The new batteries will be manufactured at its new plant in Michigan, using licensed tech from China’s CATL. GM announced this week it will source LFP batteries from CATL to power the new Chevy Bolt EV until it begins making its own.
Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum Black Edition (Source: Ford)
According to Lisa Drake, Ford’s vice president of tech platform programs and EV systems, the new midsize platform will support eight different body styles, including trucks, crossovers, SUVs, and maybe even sedans.
Ford filed a trademark for the name Ranchero on August 5, hinting that the nameplate could be revived for the new midsize EV pickup.
Drake confirmed CEO Jim Farley’s comments that Ford aims to match the costs of leading Chinese brands. We will learn more about Ford’s “plans to design and build a breakthrough electric vehicle and platform in the US” on August 11.
Ford’s electric vehicles in Europe from left to right: Puma Gen-E, Explorer, Capri, and Mustang Mach-E (Source: Ford)
Farley said on the company’s earnings call that Ford is “moving from being the dominant player in truck hybrids in the US to offering EREVs, PHEVs, and a full range of hybrids across our lineup, especially our bigger vehicles.”
Ford’s CEO added, “We think that’s a much better move than a $60,000 to $70,000 all-electric crossover. We think that that’s really what customers are going to want long term.”
Ford says it’s “going back to its roots for another Model T moment.” Check back on Monday for more details. We’ll provide a breakdown of the event.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
Led by a team of ex-Waymo engineers, Bedrock Robotics is developing a new generation of autonomous heavy equipment equipment operators who, they hope, will be able to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without human intervention.
The company “emerged from stealth” last month with news of an $80 million raise on an undisclosed valuation for its autonomous equipment play — but they’re not building heavy equipment themselves. Instead, the company plans to offer upgrades for existing equipment assets that includes a suite of cameras, LiDAR sensors, and AI-powered software that will enable to work at all times, and in conditions that human operators wouldn’t be able to tolerate.
Bedrock’s tech package prototype was developed specifically for excavators, as the most common/versatile piece of construction equipment. And, reportedly, can be installed by technicians and ready for work in just a few hours.
Credible roster
AI prototype suite on a tracked excavator; via Bedrock Robotics.
The team is hoping the lessons they learned automating taxis and exiting tech startups will enable them to revolutionize the heavy equipment space, overcome the industry’s endemic labor shortage, and (of course) make everyone involved a buttload of money.
Before that happens, however, the company needs to prove that its tech is actually capable of doing the job as well as human operators. Sofman believes their success in the robotaxi space gives them the sort of credibility investors are looking for, and shows that, “the state of technology just being right, where we’re seeing it work on one of the hardest applications in the world,” he said to Forbes. “That’s exactly the type of building block that catalyzes change. When you tally up all the ways we use these specialized heavy machines, it’s another one of those transportation-style spaces that is due for a wave of what’s happening in transportation.”
Sofman, if nothing else, is a good hype man. When Forbes tees him up, explaining that the construction industry in a “tricky” time, highlighting the Trump Administration’s trade tariffs and aggressive, often illegal immigration crackdowns artificially boosting materials costs, driving inflation, and making an already tight supply of skilled workers even tighter, Sofman is ready to parrot it right back.
“It’s this fascinating situation where you have an astronomical macroeconomic tail and a need to re-industrialize the US,” says Sofman. “At the same time, the labor pool, even more aggressively than what we saw in trucking, is going the opposite direction.”
Bedrock hasn’t yet released revenue targets or pricing, but cite the size of the established market, along with infrastructure upgrades aided by the passage of Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure law (which, again, is “tricky” these days), higher demand for new warehouses and data centers as enough to make a business case to investors.
For their parts, they’ve convinced their old boss, ex-Waymo CEO John Krafcik. “Boris has assembled an extraordinary founding team, many of whom I had the privilege of working with,” says Krafcik, who invested an undisclosed amount in the startup. “It’s an exceptional group with the technical depth, grit and vision to make autonomous construction machines real.”
NVentures, the venture capital arm of Nvidia, was also named as an investor.
Electrek’s Take
There’s no question that there are a number of factors making things a bit “tricky” for the construction industry right now, and that — at least until operator wages rise — there’s more work than workers these days, even as both the global and US populations continues to grow. That said, there’s a particular type of corpro-political technobabble hype that I have, thankfully, been able to remain immune to over my many (many) years on planet Earth, and Sofman speaks it with an effortless fluency that makes it hard to tell if he’s said anything at all.
But, crucially, he’s got $80 million and I don’t, so maybe ignore uncle Jojo. In the meantime, try to remember that market size isn’t a business plan, OK? OK.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.