GM EV Sales Double as Tesla Struggles

GM’s Electric Vehicle Sales Surge

General Motors (GM) has reported a remarkable surge in electric vehicle (EV) sales for the second quarter of 2025. The automotive giant announced it sold 46,280 EVs in the U.S. across its Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC brands. This represents a growth of over 100% year-on-year, a substantial achievement considering that the overall U.S. electric vehicle market and Tesla sales experienced a decline during the same period.

GM’s EV sales success isn’t an overnight phenomenon. In 2024, the company sold approximately 114,000 EVs in the U.S., marking the first time it surpassed the 100,000-unit milestone. This momentum has continued into 2025, bolstered by the introduction of new models such as the Cadillac Escalade IQ and Optiq. In the first half of 2025, GM reported selling around 78,000 EVs, capturing approximately 13% of the electric vehicle market share.

Chevrolet Equinox EV: The Unsung Hero

The Chevrolet Equinox EV, launched last year, has emerged as a key driver of GM’s electric vehicle success. With a starting price of $34,995 and a range of over 300 miles, it offers an attractive combination of affordability and performance. In the first half of 2025, GM sold more than 27,000 units of the Equinox EV, making it a standout model in the company’s lineup. GM anticipates that the Equinox EV will become one of the top three most popular electric cars in the U.S. this year. Impressively, it surpassed the Ford Mustang Mach-E in the first half of the year, becoming the best-selling non-Tesla EV in America.

The Equinox EV’s success underscores the importance of providing consumers with accessible and practical electric vehicle options. Its competitive pricing and impressive range have resonated with buyers looking to make the switch to electric without compromising on usability or budget.

Market Dynamics: Tesla’s Challenges and GM’s Opportunities

While GM is experiencing a surge in EV sales, Tesla, the dominant player in the U.S. EV market, is facing challenges. Cox Automotive estimates that Tesla’s U.S. sales dropped by 20% in Q2 2025. Several factors contribute to this decline, including an aging product lineup, the absence of a truly affordable model, and the controversial public persona of its CEO, Elon Musk. Tesla’s struggles are significantly impacting the overall U.S. EV market, which saw a 6% drop in sales during Q2, according to Cox Automotive.

Stephanie Valdez Streaty, director of industry insights at Cox, noted that “while Tesla pulls back, GM is stepping up,” indicating a redistribution of market share within the EV sector. This shift presents a significant opportunity for GM to solidify its position as a leading electric vehicle manufacturer.

It’s important to contextualize GM’s growth by acknowledging that its EV sales are expanding from a smaller base compared to Tesla. In 2024, Tesla sold approximately 1.8 million electric cars globally. Additionally, GM’s recent launch of numerous new EV models means that increased sales are expected. The company now offers 11 electric models, although some contribute more significantly to sales than others. Models like the Cadillac Escalade IQ and Vistiq are still in the early stages of their sales ramp-up. Electric pickup trucks such as the Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV have not yet achieved substantial sales volumes.

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