Gary Zhou 
Key Points
- 📈 A survey from Cox Automotive predicts that electric vehicle (EV) sales in the US could exceed 1 million units for the first time in 2023, with EVs currently representing about 6.5% of the automotive sector.
- 🚗 Tesla, particularly with the Model 3 and Model Y, has been driving the EV sales trend, with the Model Y becoming the world’s top-selling vehicle by volume in Q1.
- 📊 Inventory data from Cox indicates a significant increase in nationwide EV inventory, up by almost 350% this year to over 92,000 units, resulting in a 92-day supply, almost twice the industry average.
- 📉 Some EV brands, such as Audi’s Q4 e-tron and Q8 e-tron, the GMC Hummer EV SUV, Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Nissan Ariya, and Ford Mustang Mach-E, are experiencing higher inventory levels.
- 📉 Lack of sales for certain EVs may be attributed to factors such as ineligibility for federal tax credits (e.g., the GMC Hummer EV SUV, Hyundai Ioniq 5) and surplus inventory despite qualifying for tax credits (e.g., Ford Mustang Mach-E).
- 💪 Tesla achieved record vehicle deliveries in Q2 and has been implementing aggressive pricing strategies, especially for the Model 3 and Model Y, with anticipated demand growth through the upcoming Project Highland update.
A survey from Cox Automotive estimates that electric vehicle sales in the US auto market could surpass 1 million units for the first time in 2023. Electric cars currently account for about 6.5% of the country’s automotive sector. Cox also found that about 51% of consumers are now considering the purchase of a new or second-hand EV. That’s up from 38% in 2021.
Such a trend, however, seems to be largely pushed by Tesla and the popularity of the Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover. The Model Y became the world’s best-selling vehicle by volume in the first quarter of the year, and the Model 3 is expected to see a rise in sales following the release of its highly-anticipated Project Highland update.
Beyond Tesla, however, it appears that the picture is much different in the United States. As per inventory data from Cox, the nationwide supply of electric vehicles in stock swelled by almost 350% this year to over 92,000 units. As noted by Axios, such inventory corresponds to a 92-day supply, which is almost twice the industry average. For context, dealers have about 54 days’ worth of inventory for gasoline-powered cars.
A look at Cox’s data showed that some EV brands are seemingly seeing a lack of buyers. Genesis, for example, sold only 18 units of its $82,000 electrified G80 sedans in the 30 days leading up to June 29. Audi’s Q4 e-tron and Q8 e-tron, as well as the GMC Hummer EV SUV, have inventories that are well above 100 days. The Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Nissan Ariya are also seeing their inventories stacking up. Even the Ford Mustang Mach-E, which is popular and well-loved, now has a 117-day supply.
One particular reason behind the lack of sales for vehicles like the GMC Hummer EV SUV and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 may be their ineligibility for the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) federal tax credits. The Hummer EV SUV, for one, is too expensive to qualify for the IRA incentives, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an imported unit. The Ford Mustang Mach-E is a bit of an outlier since it qualifies for the federal tax credit, but it still has a surplus of inventory anyway.
Tesla, for its part, posted record vehicle deliveries in the second quarter. The company has also adopted an increasingly aggressive pricing strategy, especially with its mainstream vehicles, the Model 3 and Model Y. With the highly anticipated Project Highland update coming soon, the demand for Tesla’s most popular cars may very well improve even more.
