Trump Tried To Kill EVs, Now His War Is Doing The Opposite

Despite the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine the electric vehicle (EV) industry, data suggests that the current war, which has driven up gas prices, is actually boosting EV sales. According to Edmunds, 67.1% of people buying new EVs in January 2026 traded in gas-powered cars, rising to 72.1% by April.

Additionally, EV loyalty is increasing, with 35.4% of EV owners trading in their cars for new EVs in April, up from 26.2% in January. While it’s unclear if this trend will continue, experts believe that if gas prices remain high, more consumers may switch to EVs.

As Ivan Drury, Edmunds’ Senior Director of Insights, noted, “At six months, you’re going to start dragging in even more consumers who are just going to be over it, especially if we see that other costs are increasing too.” However, Erin Keating, Cox Automotive’s executive analyst, pointed out that most people trading gas cars for EVs were already in the market for a new car, so it’s not a panic-driven trend. If the US fails to negotiate a peace deal and restore oil-supply normalcy, EV sales could surge.