Charged Fleet Logo

EV Market Feeling The New Reality Of Steep Losses

New EV sales declined year over year in February while used EV demand rose, as prices fell and inventory tightened across both segments.

Chart highlighting February EV sales trends, showing a decline in new EV sales and growth in used EV sales based on Cox Automotive market data.

Cox Automotive reported mixed EV market trends in February, with new sales declining year over year while used EV demand continued to grow.

Credit: Cox Automotive

3 min to read


February underscored continued adjustment in the EV market: New-vehicle sales declined year over year, while used EV demand increased, inventory tightened from January, and prices declined across both new and used segments, further narrowing EV-to-ICE premiums.

Sales Show Big Dips

New EV Sales

February new EV sales totaled an estimated 68,951 units, down 26.8% year over year but up 5.8% month over month. EVs accounted for 5.8% of total new-vehicle sales.

Ad Loading...

Tesla remained the volume leader with 38,500 units, followed by Hyundai, Chevrolet, Toyota, and Cadillac. Tesla sales declined 4% month over month, reducing its market share to 55.8% from 60.5% in January.

Chevrolet was the standout performer, with volume up 70.7% month over month, moving it into the top three. Hyundai and Toyota also posted gains. Ford declined slightly, while Nissan saw a sharper pullback.

Used EV Sales

Used EV sales totaled 30,879 units in February, up 28.8% year over year and 4.2% month over month. Market share held at 2%.

Tesla led used EV sales with more than 12,133 retail units sold at non-Tesla dealerships, followed by Chevrolet, Ford, BMW, and Hyundai. Most brands recorded increases, while declines were concentrated among Audi, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW.

Prices

New EV Average Transaction Price

The average transaction price (ATP) for new EVs was $55,300 in February, down 1.4% year over year and 0.6% month over month. The EV premium over ICE+ vehicles narrowed to $6,532, the lowest level on record.

Ad Loading...

Incentives increased 13.8% to an average of $7,870, or 14.2% of ATP, up from 12.4% in January.

Among high-volume brands, Tesla and Kia recorded month-over-month ATP gains, while Chevrolet, Cadillac and Ford posted the largest declines.

Used EV Listing Price

The average listing price for used EVs was $34,821, down 8.5% year over year and 1.9% month over month. The price premium over ICE+ vehicles narrowed to $1,334.

Eighteen of 26 brands now have lower average used EV prices than comparable ICE+ vehicles, with Porsche, Lexus and Toyota showing the widest gaps.

Among high-volume brands, Tesla declined 1.1% to $31,491, while Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai and Audi recorded the largest month-over-month declines. Cadillac increased 5.0% to $56,816.

Ad Loading...
Chart from Cox Automotive showing February EV pricing trends, including declining new and used EV prices and a narrowing price gap compared to gas-powered vehicles.

New data from Cox Automotive shows EV prices continuing to decline in February as the gap between electric and internal combustion vehicles narrows.

Credit: Cox Automotive

Supply

New EV Days’ Supply

New EV days’ supply fell to 130 days in February, down 27% month over month but still 23.7% higher than a year earlier. The gap between EV and ICE+ supply narrowed to 41 days from 71 days in January.

Ford and Chevrolet carried the highest supply levels, while Toyota and Mercedes-Benz remained the lowest.

Used EV Days’ Supply

Used EV days’ supply declined to 42 days, down 9.8% month over month and 10.2% year over year, slightly above ICE+ levels for the first time in nearly a year.

Supply tightened across most high-volume brands, with Hyundai and Ford posting the largest declines. Audi was an exception, with supply increasing. Tesla had the lowest days’ supply among major brands at 35.5 days, based on vehicles available through traditional dealerships.

Outlook

The EV market continues to normalize as manufacturers and retailers work to align supply with demand. New EV launches expected in 2026 may expand consumer choice and support future volume growth. Rising gasoline prices may also influence EV adoption as consumers evaluate the total cost of ownership.

More Electric Vehicles

Kia Telluride hybrid SUV driving on a mountain road at sunset, highlighting award-winning electrified models recognized by U.S. News for performance, efficiency, and value.

Three Kia Models Win Hybrid, Electric Car Awards From U.S. News & World Report

The magazine highlighted the Telluride HEV, Niro HEV, and Sportage HEV for efficiency, performance, and overall value.

Read More →
Hyundai IONIQ 5 electric SUV parked near wind turbines, named Best Compact Electric SUV, highlighting fast charging, modern design, and efficiency.

Hyundai Sweeps EV and Hybrid Awards On U.S. News & World Report Best List

Hyundai earns three top spots in U.S. News’ 2026 hybrid and EV rankings, led by repeat wins for the Tucson Hybrid and IONIQ 5 and a category win for the new IONIQ 9.

Read More →
PG&E PowerHouse demo home in San Ramon with wall-mounted EV chargers, batteries, and electric systems, showcasing all-electric home technologies and energy management solutions.
Chargingby News/Media ReleaseApril 23, 2026

All Electric Test House Could Ease Path To EV Usage

An experimental model home shows how residential charging could enable electric fleet operations by allowing drivers to take EVs home.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Subaru electric SUV driving along a coastal highway at sunset, representing the 2027 Getaway with three-row seating and all-electric performance.
Suppliersby News/Media ReleaseApril 22, 2026

Subaru Unveils New Electric SUV, a Three-Row 2027 Subaru Getaway

Subaru introduces the all-electric 2027 Getaway, a three-row SUV with 420 hp, over 300 miles of range, and fast-charging capability, expanding its EV lineup.

Read More →
Charts show March EV sales: 82,629 new units (up month over month, down year over year) and 42,924 used units (up sharply), with EV share at 5.9% new and 2.5% used.

High Gas Prices Spur EV Sales Rebound

EV sales showed strong month-over-month gains and surging used EV demand, while tighter inventory and declining prices narrowed the gap with gas-powered vehicles.

Read More →
Electric vehicle charging in a home garage with wall-mounted charging and energy systems, illustrating WEX EV At-Home fraud protection and fleet charging verification technology.
Chargingby News/Media ReleaseApril 21, 2026

WEX Launches Solution to Close EV At-Home Charging Visibility Gap

At NAFA I&E 2026, WEX debuted an EV solution that adds a layer of verification to help fleets track, validate, and trust every at-home charging dollar.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Lucid electric vehicle equipped with rooftop sensors parked outside a modern building, representing expanded partnership with Uber for future robotaxi deployment.

Lucid Receives New Investments As It Expands Uber Robotaxi Venture

Lucid and Uber partner to provide at least 35,000 vehicles, backed by new investments totaling $750 million to support the deployment of autonomous fleets.

Read More →
Orange Slate electric pickup truck parked outdoors between industrial structures, representing the company’s upcoming customizable EV supported by new funding.
Suppliersby News/Media ReleaseApril 17, 2026

Slate Auto Raises $650 Million In Funds As It Prepares E-Truck Production

Slate Auto will use the money to advance production plans, with more than 160,000 reservations and deliveries targeted for late 2026.

Read More →
Aerial view of large EV truck charging hub in San Bernardino with multiple charging lanes and infrastructure for fleet vehicles.
Chargingby News/Media ReleaseApril 15, 2026

Major Truck Charging Hub Opens In Southern California

EV Realty opens a 76-port, 9 MW truck charging hub in San Bernardino, designed to support more than 200 medium- and heavy-duty vehicles per day with CCS and MCS capability.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Dan Hilson and Martin Romjue photos on the title page.
Chargingby Martin RomjueApril 14, 2026

Software Speeds Up EV Fleet Charging

Learn about a new level of energy management that helps fleets control costs while maintaining service reliability. [VIDEO]

Read More →