Chevrolet steals Ford's thunder, becomes number two EV brand in the US

A big shift is underway in the American electric vehicle market. Through the first five months of 2025, Chevrolet has officially outsold Ford in the electric car market, claiming the second spot behind Tesla.

General Motors reported that from January through May, its Chevrolet brand sold approximately 37,000 electric vehicles. That's more than Ford's 34,000 units sold in the same timeframe. The momentum has been building, with GM noting a 94% surge in EV sales in the first quarter alone.

Across all its brands, including Cadillac and GMC, GM has moved over 62,000 EVs this year, capturing about 15.5% of the US EV market in the first two months of the second quarter - more than double its share from the previous year.

The secret to Chevrolet's recent success appears to be a simple yet effective formula: an affordable and appealing electric SUV. Industry analysts point directly to the Chevrolet Equinox EV as the primary driver of this sales surge. With a starting price of $33,600, the Equinox EV sits in a sweet spot for many American families looking to transition to an electric car without breaking the bank. The entry-level front-wheel-drive version offers an EPA-estimated range of up to 326 miles.

This pricing and performance combination presents a direct challenge to Ford, whose cheapest electric offering, the Mustang Mach-E, starts at a higher price point of $37,995. While the Mach-E has been a popular model, Ford lacks a direct competitor to the Equinox EV's value proposition. The Mach-E, with its standard 72 kWh battery, offers a shorter range of around 224 miles in its entry configuration, making the Equinox EV a better alternative for budget-conscious buyers prioritizing distance per charge.

The larger Chevrolet Blazer EV bolsters GM's performance as well. It's a mid-size electric SUV that occupies a segment where Ford has yet to plant a flag. The Blazer EV offers various configurations, including a rear-wheel-drive RS model with an impressive EPA-estimated range of up to 334 miles.

GM isn't just focusing on SUVs; its electric portfolio is broad, encompassing the massive Cadillac Escalade IQ and a trio of electric trucks: the Chevrolet Silverado EV, the GMC Sierra EV, and the GMC Hummer EV. This multi-pronged approach allows GM to cater to a diverse set of buyers, from families to luxury seekers to truck enthusiasts.

The sales milestone is interesting, given that Chevrolet achieved it without its former best-seller, the affordable Bolt EV hatchback. The popular and budget-friendly Bolt was discontinued, but GM has confirmed a second-generation model is on the horizon. Expected to be built on a cost-effective platform using LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries, the new Bolt will return as a sub-$30,000 crossover, which could accelerate Chevrolet's market share growth and put even more pressure on competitors.

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