Tesla U.S. EV Sales Down 16% in First Eight Months of 2026, Market Share Rises to 52%

According to sales data from Motor Intelligence, Tesla sold 325,351 electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S. during the first eight months of 2026, a 16% year-over-year decline, capturing a 52% market share—up from 43% during the same period in 2025. Over the same timeframe, total U.S. EV sales fell by approximately 30% year-over-year. Tesla had long held more than 80% of the U.S. EV market. Between 2021 and 2024, automakers including Hyundai, Ford, and General Motors launched new EV models. In 2025, Tesla’s U.S. sales totaled 589,000 units, representing a market share of about 41%. In December 2025, Ford announced a $19.5 billion write-down of its EV assets, ending production of the all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck and shifting its focus toward hybrid and range-extended electric vehicles. In January 2026, General Motors recorded a special impairment charge of approximately $6 billion, scaling back BEV production capacity and delaying expansions at certain factories. Honda canceled plans in 2026 for three EV models originally slated for U.S. production. Nissan discontinued sales of the 2026 Ariya all-electric SUV. According to AutoNews, automakers have collectively written down over $70 billion due to canceled or delayed EV programs.