When Will the US Finally Get $15K EVs?

Super-cheap EVs exist in other parts of the world, as advances in battery tech and manufacturing are making new cars significantly cheaper. But the US market presents unique challenges for automakers.

You’ve seen it on social media: “This $15,000 Chinese EV will DESTROY the auto industry!!” In fact, 2025 was to be the year when electric vehicles reached global price parity with gasoline cars in their segments: They’d cost the same, regardless of whether they had an engine or a battery with electric motors. In North America, that didn’t happen.

As US vehicle prices continue to soar, it begs the question: When will the US get EVs that are more affordable, as cheap as gas cars, to make mass-market shoppers pay attention? They face new headwinds: The $7,500 national EV purchase incentive ended September 30. That month brought the highest ever EV sales—and many ...