The Trump administration's decision to eliminate tax credits for electric vehicle purchases has had a devastating impact on the US market, with sales plummeting by 36% in the final quarter of 2025. The move, which was expected to boost demand for EVs, instead led to a sharp decline in sales, with full-year EV sales dropping 2% to just over 1.275 million units.
However, the situation is not as dire globally, where battery-powered vehicles are still experiencing rapid growth. According to London-based forecaster Benchmark Minerals Intelligence, global EV sales could jump nearly 16% this year to 23.9 million units, with China expected to grow by 20% and Europe rising by 14%.
Despite the US downturn, General Motors and Ford have announced significant shifts in their strategy, with both companies taking huge writedowns as a result. Ford booked a $19.5 billion charge last year, while GM has committed to spending at least $7.6 billion on scaling back its battery and EV production plans.
GM's decision is particularly surprising given the company's success in the US market, where it delivered nearly 170,000 electric vehicles last year alone. However, analysts argue that GM's strategy is misguided, with the company opting to focus on affordable models rather than investing in more significant technological advancements.
The move by Ford and GM has been criticized as short-sighted and out of step with the direction the world is heading. As China continues to dominate the global EV market, both companies risk missing out on the growing demand for sustainable transportation solutions.
In contrast, other companies are taking a more forward-thinking approach, such as Brightline, which has hired former Eurostar CEO Nicolas Petrovic to lead its efforts in building a high-speed rail network across the US. The company's ambitious plans could help drive growth in the renewable energy sector and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Meanwhile, Christophe Beck, CEO of Ecolab, is tackling the growing challenge of water consumption in data centers, where AI-generated power demand has led to an unprecedented run of global heat. By investing in circular solutions and reducing waste, companies can help mitigate the impact of climate change.
As the world grapples with the challenges of sustainability and climate change, it's clear that short-sighted decisions like those made by Ford and GM will only exacerbate the problem. Instead, companies need to take a more proactive approach, investing in technologies and strategies that promote growth while minimizing harm to the environment.
However, the situation is not as dire globally, where battery-powered vehicles are still experiencing rapid growth. According to London-based forecaster Benchmark Minerals Intelligence, global EV sales could jump nearly 16% this year to 23.9 million units, with China expected to grow by 20% and Europe rising by 14%.
Despite the US downturn, General Motors and Ford have announced significant shifts in their strategy, with both companies taking huge writedowns as a result. Ford booked a $19.5 billion charge last year, while GM has committed to spending at least $7.6 billion on scaling back its battery and EV production plans.
GM's decision is particularly surprising given the company's success in the US market, where it delivered nearly 170,000 electric vehicles last year alone. However, analysts argue that GM's strategy is misguided, with the company opting to focus on affordable models rather than investing in more significant technological advancements.
The move by Ford and GM has been criticized as short-sighted and out of step with the direction the world is heading. As China continues to dominate the global EV market, both companies risk missing out on the growing demand for sustainable transportation solutions.
In contrast, other companies are taking a more forward-thinking approach, such as Brightline, which has hired former Eurostar CEO Nicolas Petrovic to lead its efforts in building a high-speed rail network across the US. The company's ambitious plans could help drive growth in the renewable energy sector and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Meanwhile, Christophe Beck, CEO of Ecolab, is tackling the growing challenge of water consumption in data centers, where AI-generated power demand has led to an unprecedented run of global heat. By investing in circular solutions and reducing waste, companies can help mitigate the impact of climate change.
As the world grapples with the challenges of sustainability and climate change, it's clear that short-sighted decisions like those made by Ford and GM will only exacerbate the problem. Instead, companies need to take a more proactive approach, investing in technologies and strategies that promote growth while minimizing harm to the environment.