America is falling behind in the global EV race – that’s going to cost the US auto industry

Electric vehicles are a fast-growing share of auto sales in many countries, and Chinese automakers are benefiting as the US industry pulls back.

By: Hengrui Liu, Tufts University and Kelly Sims Gallagher, Tufts University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 29, 2026

Words: 1,430

Last Updated: 1 month, 1 week ago

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By Hengrui Liu, Tufts University and Kelly Sims Gallagher, Tufts University

At the 2026 Detroit Auto Show, the spotlight quietly shifted. Electric vehicles, once framed as the inevitable future of the industry, were no longer the centerpiece. Instead, automakers emphasized hybrids, updated gasoline models and incremental efficiency improvements.

The show, held in January, reflected an industry recalibration happening in real time: Ford and General Motors had recently announced US$19.5 billion and $6 …

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