Car executives fear a collapse in EV sales as US tax subsidy vanishes

Core Insights - The expiration of a $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicle (EV) buyers is expected to significantly impact U.S. EV sales, with executives predicting a sharp decline in sales [1][2][5] - Ford's CEO anticipates that EV sales may drop to 5% of total U.S. vehicle sales next month, which would be a substantial decrease from August's record levels [2] - Nissan's chairman warns of a potential collapse in the EV market in October due to increased competition and a surplus of unsold EVs [3] Industry Overview - The U.S. EV market has been lagging behind other major markets, with China achieving over 40% sales penetration for electrics and plug-in hybrids, while Europe is around 20% [6] - Despite the tax credit, EV sales growth in the U.S. had already slowed in the past two years, with only a 1.5% increase in the first half of the year compared to the previous year [7] Legislative Context - The $7,500 tax credit was initially approved in 2008 and extended by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which also imposed eligibility criteria based on domestic production [4] - The expiration of the tax credit was set by a tax-cut and spending bill signed into law by former President Donald Trump, which may further hinder EV adoption [5]