The good EVs haven’t made it to America yet and it’s likely that they won’t. The best ones seem to be available mostly overseas where people have many more affordable options, like those in this collection of EVs we can’t buy in the U.S.
By now, you’ll have seen reports that EV sales are not doing so well here, which leads us to conclude that Americans don’t want EVs. But that’s only partially true; Americans are refusing EVs, but it could be because automakers collectively decided to sell us the most expensive, impractical EVs they could design.
Instead of cheap cars with reasonable range, carmakers chose to sell flagship vehicles with large, expensive batteries for range that never seems to be enough. This has relegated EVs to second cars in driveways that can afford two cars, while many Americans struggle with buying one to begin with. Toss in other problems, like a lack of EV infrastructure and stubborn range anxiety, and it’s no wonder EVs aren’t flying off dealer lots. Automakers are now reconsidering their EV roadmaps and pinning the blame on buyers — as if that absolves them.
What will likely end up happening is American automakers will proclaim the EV transition was a failure, was too rushed, and go right back to selling big pricy cars. These will be ICE-equipped, but a few EVs will lurk in the lineups. The rest of the world (read: China) will keep transitioning towards EVs. And by the time U.S. auto giants realize they’ve been outplayed — despite their joint ventures — it’ll be too late. They will have been beat by a tiny car running on batteries like the Wuling Mini EV or any of these others not sold in the U.S.: