EV ROUNDUP
Recent happenings in the world of electric vehicles.
The recent surge in gas prices has helped boost EV consideration among new vehicle shoppers, despite common objections. (Photo by JUICE on Unsplash)
Report: Hurdles Remain As More New-Vehicle Shoppers Consider EVs
Electric vehicle (EV) sales volumes may have plateaued, but consumer interest has not faded, according to the recent JD Power 2026 U.S. Electric Vehicle Consideration (EVC) Study. In fact, the recent surge in gas prices has helped to boost consideration, with 26% of new-vehicle shoppers saying they were “very likely” to consider purchasing an EV in April—up 3 percentage points from the previous month.
Meanwhile, the share of shoppers saying they were “very unlikely” to consider an EV fell 4 percentage points month over month to 18% in April.
That April bump in consideration helped drive the overall percentage of new-vehicle shoppers who say they are “very likely to consider an EV” to 25% (up 1 percentage point year over year) in 2026, while 35% are “somewhat likely,” unchanged from a year ago.
“Despite ongoing policy changes, including the repeal of federal tax credits, a growing number of new-vehicle shoppers remain interested in EVs,” says Brent Gruber, executive director of OEM and EV solutions at JD Power. “At the same time, there continues to be gradual but important progress in key rejection reasons among shoppers such as purchase price, charging availability and range anxiety over the long term. Taken together, these trends offer automakers—and other stakeholders across the EV ecosystem—a clearer view of where barriers are easing and where friction remains, helping prioritize the areas in which to focus product, infrastructure and investment strategies moving forward.”
Key findings of the 2026 index include:
Purchase price becomes a bigger barrier to adoption. “Despite a positive overall trend, recent data is showing that vehicle prices are currently playing a more significant role in deterring shoppers from EVs,” says Gruber.
Shoppers who say they are “very unlikely” to consider an EV show little tolerance for tradeoffs. More than half (56%) are unwilling to pay any price premium; nearly three-quarters (73%) would require at least 500 miles of range to even consider an EV; and 43% expect charging availability to match that of gas stations. “The irony is that public chargers are already more common than many people realize. Across much of the country, fast chargers are often available within about 50 miles, but for those not driving an EV, they can be easy to overlook. This points to a gap in visibility and awareness rather than infrastructure,” says Gruber.
EV rejection reasons differ by generation. Purchase price ranks among the top concerns for Gen Z and Gen Y shoppers, with 32% and 35%, respectively, citing it as a barrier to EV adoption, whereas older generations place greater emphasis on practical considerations such as charging time and availability.
Electric vehicle consideration remains stagnant among shoppers in multifamily residences.
The ability to charge at home is the ultimate convenience for many current EV owners, but among shoppers who are unable to do so, EV consideration is not progressing.
“While concerns around driving range and public charging are easing, consideration among shoppers who can’t charge at home or work has barely moved, highlighting a critical gap in multifamily and workplace infrastructure. Without meaningful progress in these areas, a large share of would‑be EV buyers will remain out of reach, regardless of how attractive the vehicles become,” Gruber notes.
GM REVEALS GMC HUMMER X TRUCK & SUV CONCEPTS
The new GMC HUMMER X1 EV concepts are built around reconfigurability, capability, community and sustainability. (Photo courtesy GMC)
General Motors marked the opening of its new advanced design studio in Pasadena, California, this spring by unveiling GMC HUMMER X1 concept builds—highly reconfigurable mid-size electric vehicles (EVs) in both truck and SUV form.
“Every great concept starts with a belief. Ours was this: ‘The courage to get lost leads us to new discoveries,’” says Brian Smith, outgoing GM Advanced Design Pasadena studio director. “The team rallied around a working mantra of ‘take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints,’ and let that philosophy guide every decision. That’s not just a tagline—it’s the design brief.”
Born from a collaboration between GM Advanced Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing and the Advanced Design Pasadena studio, the HUMMER X concepts, while not intended for production, are test-beds for new technologies, new aesthetics and new ways to build community around adventure, all centered around sustainability, according to the company. Both the pickup and SUV models are engineered as capable rock crawlers and built around four pillars: reconfigurability, capability, community and sustainability, according to company officials.
GM’s FLEX FAB flexible manufacturing technology enables fast, small-batch, on-demand production, similar to 3D printing, officials report. The new HUMMER aesthetic features a clean, flat-topped silhouette with radiused edges, laser-welded seams and visible precision bolts.
A low center of gravity, on-demand acceleration, 35- to-37-inch Goodyear tires, beadlock wheels, Multimatic shocks, removable fender flares and underbody protection make the concepts adventure-ready, while the cockpit features stackable displays that let drivers tailor their digital experience, whether they’re rock crawling, trail running or cruising the highway.
LOW-VOLUME EV PLATFORM INTRODUCED FOR MANUFACTURERS
Electric vehicle (EV) converter Everrati and Aria Group Inc. have launched a B2B electric vehicle platform designed specifically for manufacturers that have been priced out of electrification.
The joint platform combines Everrati’s OEM-grade, modular electric powertrain with Aria’s lightweight composite chassis architecture to deliver a production-ready EV solution for low-volume OEMs, specialty vehicle programs, heritage brands, and defense and off-road applications, according to a press release. The results are dramatically lower costs, reduced development risk and faster times to market compared with traditional clean-sheet EV efforts.
“This is about removing the structural barriers that have made low-volume electrification slow, expensive and risky,” says Justin Lunny, CEO of Everrati. “By pairing a proven electric powertrain with a highly adaptable composite chassis, we’re giving manufacturers a credible, scalable route to EVs without the usual financial burden.”
The turnkey platform is engineered to support low- and medium-volume production, including programs required to meet U.S. crash and regulatory standards. A joint development mule and demonstrator vehicle is planned, with active discussions already underway with prospective customers in North America and Europe, the companies announced at CES 2026.
“Our customers consistently struggle to balance packaging, performance, cost and regulatory compliance,” says Clive Hawkins, CEO, Aria Group Inc. “This partnership brings together two complementary technologies to solve that problem in a practical, commercially viable way.”
The Everrati–Aria collaboration offers an alternative to bespoke EV development at a time when investors and policymakers are increasingly focused on scalable electrification.
Electric vehicle (EV) converter Everrati and Aria Group Inc. have launched a B2B electric vehicle platform designed specifically for low-volume manufacturers. (Photo courtesy Everrati)
