Ep. 233: Too Many Leftovers in the Fridge and 2026 Predictions

🎉 It's a new year and a new season! Eat your leftovers before they go bad and let's get into it. Global sales of EVs continue to surge thanks to affordable Chinese brands like BYD, which just dethroned Tesla as the world's top BEV seller with 2.26 million units in 2025 versus Tesla's declining 1.64 million. In the U.S., the end of federal tax credits triggered a sharp Q4 sales drop, leaving EV market share stuck around 9-10% while hybrids steal the show as pragmatic, profitable heroes appealing to everyday buyers. Major automakers like Ford are pivoting hard, scrapping pure-electric plans for extended-range hybrid pickups while Toyota and Honda double down on hybrids until at least 2030. Hybrids are booming, already pushing electrified vehicles over 22% of U.S. sales in some quarters and acting as a gateway drug, with one-third of owners later switching to full EVs. Despite Detroit's gloom and a "Great EV Reset" slowdown, cheaper new models under $42,000 and a flood of affordable used EVs are poised to fuel the next growth wave. Pure BEVs aren't dead, they're just taking a breather while hybrids and used deals bridge the gap to a fully electric future. Tesla and Rivian's rough year underscores the shift, but with CES announcements looming, more news is on the way. Bottom line: 2026 is the year of pragmatic progress, not panic._______________________________Connect with Elena:https://evs4everyone.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaciccotelli/Let's talk on X:https://twitter.com/EVs_forEveryoneAre you connected with the show on LinkedIn? https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-evs-for-everyone-podcast/________________________