Toyota is now among the top 5 EV sellers in the US, but it’s still taking its foot off the gas

This is car news rather than home energy news, but here's what's happening. Toyota has become one of the top five EV sellers in the US, with sales up 225% in the second quarter thanks to three electric SUVs now on the market: the bZ, the C-HR, and the bZ Woodland. Toyota sold 21,855 EVs in the first half of the year, more than double last year's total. Tesla still dominates with over half of all US EV sales, followed by Chevrolet, Hyundai, Toyota, and Cadillac rounding out the top five.

Overall EV sales in the US dropped 36% compared to a year ago, partly because the federal $7,500 EV tax credit ended. Sales did tick up compared to earlier this year, though.

Despite its recent gains, Toyota is delaying the electric version of its three-row Highlander SUV by at least two months, while continuing to sell the gas and hybrid Highlander well into 2027. The delay affects only the EV model. This means anyone hoping to buy an electric three-row Highlander will have to wait longer, and it gives competitors like Rivian, Hyundai, Kia, and Tesla more time to attract buyers looking for a larger electric SUV. The delay could also affect related electric models from Lexus and Subaru built on the same platform, though that has not been confirmed.