The car world is taking a long look at its EV offerings as major brands decide to kill off some of the very models that, just a few years ago, were touted as the way forward for automakers. With a new administration, slashed tax incentives for EVs, and wonky pricing, tariffs, and inflation, some surprising cuts are being made.
Checking in on the state of EVs with Art Wheaton, automotive expert and director of labor studies at Cornell University ILR School in Buffalo, New York, he confirmed in a recent call, “It’s a brutal market. And the current administration isn’t helping.”
It’s no surprise then that we need a “Delayed, But Not Dead” category, which isn’t the best way to kick off a new model. The Kia EV4 was expected in the U.S. in early 2026 as an electric sedan. But that’s been delayed, it appears, indefinitely, at least stateside. A hatchback version is going ahead in Europe and other markets. Polestar’s next electric sports car was supposed to arrive in 2026. The Polestar 6 convertible is throwing off the numerical order of things with a delay until 2028 or later, which means the Polestar 7 SUV could beat it to market.
For 2026 look for changes to the Dodge Charger Daytona electric muscle car and Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck. While not definitive nails in the coffin, the trim changes (the Charger’s base R/T trim is no longer and the Lightning is doing away with the base XLT trim for the pricier STX) and shifting lineups for both EVs aren’t healthy indicators. There are loud whispers about the end of the Lightning in favor of a cheaper, smaller electric truck from Ford. The Lightning STX starts at more than $63,000.
Then there’s Tesla’s Cybertruck, which is still hanging on despite terrible sales, ratings and recalls. But as Wheaton said, “The Cybertruck is Dead On Arrival, it’s just waiting to get phased out.”
While those cars are in a zombie-limbo state, here’s this year’s EV graveyard of discontinued cars.
Acura ZDX (2024-2025)
If it feels like just last year, Acura was showing off its first electric SUV, it’s because it was. Honda’s premium brand has decided to cut its losses and discontinue the ZDX.
Ironically, the original ZDX was a gas-powered coupe with a V6 engine that was discontinued in 2013 because of poor sales. The electric version was revived for 2024 with up to 325-mile range and a $64,500 starting price tag. If you haven’t seen many on the road that’s because less than an estimated 20,000 models were sold.
Genesis G80 Electrified (2023-2025)
The electric G80 sedan made it to the U.S. in 2022 with a slow rollout, foreshadowing how it would fare for the next few years. By the time parent company Hyundai Motor Company called it, sales of the luxury EV were stagnant with under 100 units sold in the U.S. The last G80 EV was sold in the U.S. in July, so it’s been a long time coming. The Genesis website has scrubbed its existence with only the GV60 and Electrified GV70 listed.
Globally the G80 is not a sales machine, but its existence will carry on next year, especially in its home Korean market where it’s done well enough. European and other buyers will get a refreshed version for 2026.
Nissan Ariya (2023-2025)
It’s been a tumultuous start (and end) for Nissan’s attempt to replicate the Leaf’s success in SUV form. The Ariya was announced with much fanfare in 2020, only to stumble with the same supply chain issues the entire industry faced. That pushed the car out to 2023. It also only had a range of slightly over 200 miles on the base trim.
With such a doomed start, the Ariya never fully recovered. Sales grew each year, but compared to electric SUV competitors in a similar price range, like the Tesla Model Y, it didn’t stand a chance.
But not all hope is lost. A slate of new EVs—some from newer brands, others from industry stalwarts—will finally hit the road and make it into customer driveways when the calendar flips. There’s the smaller Rivian R2 SUV, Sony Honda Mobility upstart’s Afeela 1 and Honda 0 Series SUV and sedan. Mercedes-Benz’s revamped CLA EV will be the first electric Mercedes to do away with the EQ nomenclature. The 2026 all-new sedan is making its way to the streets now alongside the CLA hybrid.
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