The US Market can’t make up its mind about electric vehicles. Four years ago, popular EVs like the Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 were selling for thousands of dollars over MSRP, then they became among the lowest-priced vehicles to lease and drive. Finally, when the government incentive went away, we saw a huge buying spree followed by a lull in sales.

However, JD Power recently reported that satisfaction among EV drivers has never been higher. With gas prices already up $0.82 in California in the last 30 days, will we see renewed interest in electric vehicles?

At Cartelligent, we’ve spent the last few decades helping Californians buy or lease their new car. We’re experts in not only EVs, but the totality of the car buying market. Here’s what we’re seeing.

Californians continue to choose EV and PHEVs. While we saw our EV sales spike to over 60% of sales in September of last year followed by a dip to 15% of sales, that was because many people chose to move their purchase forward before the federal incentive went away. In the months since, we’ve seen our EV sales rebound, and they now account for around 25% of the cars we sell.

This is asynchronous with the rest of the country, where EV sales currently represent less than 5% of vehicles sold. If the current California emissions standards hold up against the lawsuit recently launched by the Trump administration, the state will ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035. If that happens, manufacturers who want to sell cars in California will need to have a variety of EV options in their line-ups.

How are Manufacturers Responding?

Manufacturers are reacting to this in a number of ways, with some scaling back while others are opting to lean in.

Honda announced this week that it would not launch two planned EVs. Stellantis has stopped production on its PHEV line-up. Meanwhile, brands like Kia, Hyundai, and BMW are not only adding new EVs to the mix, but are offering strong incentives on their EV line-up. 

Some of the new options we’re most excited about include:

• BMW iX3 – BMW is a perennial favorite with Cartelligent clients and their EV offerings are among our top-sellers. The iX3 boasts over 400 miles of range and 400-kilowatt fast charging.
• Chevrolet Bolt – The original Bolt was a big hit with our clients–we expect the new release with its longer range and faster charging to be similarly successful. Especially, with a base price starting under $30,000.
• Kia EV3 – The Kia EV6 and EV9 are already top choices for our clients. The smaller, more affordable EV3 seems likely to be another hit for the brand.
• Lexus ES EV – This all-electric sedan joins the RZ SUV in the Lexus electric line-up. Gas/electric hybrid versions will arrive a few months later.
• Land Rover Range Rover EV – We expect the all-electric Range Rover to be a popular option for Cartelligent clients who want the ultra-luxury of the brand without the high cost of fueling it.
• Mercedes-Benz GLC EV – This luxury mid-size crossover offers fast charging, and over 350-miles of range. Cartelligent clients will love the premium features and technology features of the GLC.
• Porsche Cayenne EV – The Cayenne has been a top choice since inception and it only makes sense that our clients will flock to an all-electric version. It not only has fast charging, it’s the first production car to offer wireless charging through a weatherproof charging pad.
• Subaru Trailseeker and Uncharted – Our clients love the rugged good looks of the Subaru brand. Its two new EV offerings keep that styling and offer attractive price points.
• Toyota bZ Woodland and Highlander EV – Toyotas are always top choices among Cartelligent clients and we expect these two all-electric SUVs to keep that going. The Highlander EV represents the first time the brand has electrified an existing model.
• Volvo EX60 – Volvos are always popular with Cartelligent clients and the new EX60 promises to be a significant improvement over the brand’s current EV offerings.

EVs are getting better with each generation. Range has improved, charge time is decreasing, and the cars are getting faster and more fun to drive. We believe EVs will continue to be a part of the auto landscape in years to come, especially in California where the charging network is well built out and the desire for earth-friendly options is strong. 

(Featured: 2026 Range Rover Sport)

Cartelligent helps clients take advantage of incentives designed around low demand in other parts of the country and get a great deal on the new EV they want. For those not quite ready to go fully electric, it’s worth exploring the latest plug-in hybrid options — today’s PHEVs have come a long way and may be the right option.

If you’re ready to start your new car search, let’s talk.