General Motors delivered 25,473 all-electric vehicles in the United States in the third quarter of 2026, a fall of 62% year on year. The comparison is harsh because Q3 2025 was a record, with 66,501 units, as buyers rushed to use the $7,500 federal tax credit before it ended. A year on, the numbers show what GM's EV business looks like without that support.
GM EV sales by brand, Q3 2026
| Brand | Q3 2026 EVs | Change year on year | EV share of brand sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac | 12,358 | Down 33% | 38% |
| Chevrolet | 10,031 | Down 75% | 2.3% |
| GMC | 3,084 | Down 64% | 2% |
| Total | 25,473 | Down 62% | 3.8% |
The surprise is that Cadillac sold more EVs than Chevrolet. EVs now make up 38% of Cadillac's US volume in the quarter, while Chevrolet and GMC sit at roughly 2%.
Volume has stabilised, at a lower level
Twelve months after the peak, GM's EV volume has settled at over 25,000 units a quarter, and in Q2 it exceeded 30,000. That is almost 4% of GM's total US volume. For the first nine months of 2026, GM sold 82,152 EVs in the US, down 43%, or 4.1% of total volume. Cadillac held up best year to date (down 11%), while Chevrolet fell 56% and GMC 50%.
Models: Equinox EV takes the biggest hit
Every model declined year on year except the new Bolt, which was not on sale a year earlier. The mainstream Chevrolets were hit hardest.
| 1 | Chevrolet Equinox EV: 1,905 (down 92%) |
|---|---|
| 2 | Chevrolet Blazer EV: 1,261 (down 84%) |
| 3 | Chevrolet Bolt: 3,866 (new) |
| 4 | Cadillac Optiq: 4,550 (down 7%) |
| 5 | Cadillac Lyriq: 3,617 (down 50.5%) |
| 6 | Cadillac Vistiq: 2,587 (down 34%) |
| 7 | Cadillac Escalade IQ and IQL: 1,604 (down 29%) |
| 8 | GMC Sierra EV: 1,661 (down 51%) |
| 9 | GMC Hummer EV pickup and SUV: 1,423 (down 73%) |
The new 2027 Bolt has passed 8,000 customer deliveries this year. Chevrolet has also scaled back Bolt production by 75% to match weaker-than-expected demand.
What it tells us about US EV demand
The pattern suggests that premium buyers, who were likely less sensitive to the tax credit, have largely stayed with Cadillac's EVs, while mainstream Chevrolet models lost most of their volume once the $7,500 credit ended. With the comparison base now a year past the peak, the year-on-year numbers should start improving in line with organic growth.
Running costs remain part of the picture. With gas at record autumn levels in the US, track prices on our US fuel prices tool when comparing an EV against a gas car.
What US buyers should take from this
| 1 | Lower demand can mean more room to negotiate on EV stock, especially on mainstream models; ask dealers for written offers. |
|---|---|
| 2 | Check current incentives from your state or utility, since the federal credit is no longer available. |
| 3 | Compare total running costs with your real mileage and charging access, not just the sticker price. |
Bottom line
GM's Q3 EV sales fell 62% against an inflated year-earlier peak, but volume has steadied above 25,000 a quarter, with Cadillac carrying the load. Follow the CarVoltX blog for more on EV markets around the world.
