過去在拜登政府的補助與嚴格油耗標準推動下，電動車銷量曾大幅成長，但除了特斯拉之外，多數車廠都在賠錢。2025年共和黨取消了這些政策後，底特律車廠退守至最賺錢的大型車與混合動力車市場。混合動力車價格較親民，且較能符合美國民眾的駕駛習慣與里程需求。
專家預測到了2030年，混合動力車將拿下美國約27%的市占率，成為市場的結構性主力而非僅是過渡產品。然而，儘管混合動力車迎合了當前的美國市場，但要推動全面電動化仍需電池技術突破，而這似乎已成為中國車廠的優勢，為美國車廠的長遠未來蒙上風險。
In the first half of 2026, US sales of conventional hybrid vehicles grew by nearly 20%, while pure electric vehicle sales plunged by a quarter. This shift was largely driven by rising pump prices and the removal of EV subsidies, alongside automakers' preference for manufacturing more profitable hybrid models after suffering massive write-downs on EV investments.
EV sales had previously surged under the Biden administration's subsidies and strict fuel economy standards, though most automakers, excluding Tesla, lost money on them. After Republicans dismantled these policies in 2025, Detroit automakers retreated to their most profitable segments, including large vehicles and hybrids. Hybrids offer a more affordable price point and better suit American driving habits and range requirements.
Experts project that hybrids will capture about 27% of the US market by 2030, becoming a structural staple rather than just a bridge technology. However, while hybrids perfectly fit the current American landscape, a full transition to EVs requires breakthroughs in battery technology. With such advancements increasingly dominated by Chinese automakers, this trend casts a shadow of long-term risk over US car manufacturers.