Latest Developments in Electric Vehicles, Batteries, and Charging: Rivian, General Motors, Li-Zhi Motor, Bojangles, Blink Charging, Cenntro, Veloz, IONNA, Mangrove, Sensata, and WattEV Make Headlines
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In the middle of 2025, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing sector in the United States is experiencing a mixed landscape. According to recent reports, EV sales dipped slightly in Q2 2025, registering a 6.3% year-over-year decline to around 310,839 vehicles sold, with an overall EV market share of about 7.4% of new car sales—down from 8.0% a year earlier.
Despite the dip, Tesla maintains the largest share with 46%, though its sales fell 10% year-over-year. On the other hand, General Motors has doubled its EV sales since Q2 2024. However, the market faces uncertainty due to the planned phase-out of federal EV tax credits by the end of September 2025, which is expected to cause a short-term sales spike in Q3 followed by a decline in Q4.
Battery production in the U.S. confronts significant challenges amid policy shifts. New federal legislation ending EV tax credits threatens the domestic battery supply chain, which had previously benefited from substantial investments and factory builds, especially across the "Battery Belt," industrial Midwest, and Southwest. Around 24 U.S. battery and EV factories geared toward qualifying for those credits may see reduced demand, putting the industry at risk of a demand shock. This legislation impacts ongoing projects, such as the Stellantis and Samsung SDI’s Kokomo Gigafactory, and jeopardizes growth plans for battery manufacturing and related mineral supply chains like lithium.
Despite these challenges, the EV charging infrastructure in the U.S. has seen strong growth despite policy rollbacks of a $5 billion federal charging initiative and cutbacks in EV incentives. Between Q1 and Q2 2025, 703 new high-speed public charging stations were added—the second-largest quarterly expansion on record—bringing the total to roughly 11,400 stations nationwide. These installations are spreading beyond urban and coastal areas into rural regions, helping to reduce so-called "charging deserts." Private sector investment and network operators (e.g., EVgo, Electrify America) continue expanding the infrastructure driven by growing demand and profitable business models. Notably, Tesla has allowed other EV brands to use its Supercharger network, contributing about 15% of new stations added in spring 2025.
In Georgia, Rivian, a leading EV manufacturer, announced its plans to establish its East Coast Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, in late 2025. Initially, Rivian will employ around 100 people, with plans to grow to 500 by 2026. The company's latest move builds on its multi-billion-dollar investment in Georgia, including a planned 7,500-person EV production facility in Stanton Springs North. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens praised Rivian's announcement.
In addition, Bojangles, a popular fast-food chain, launched a nationwide initiative to install EV charging stations at its locations. WattEV, a leader in heavy-duty freight electrification, is expanding its electric truck charging infrastructure with three new depots in California, supported by over $24 million in state funding. ZM Trucks introduced the T75 Battery-Electric Terminal Tractor, a zero-emission vehicle engineered for heavy-duty operations.
Moreover, Sensata Technologies has launched its High Efficiency Contactor (HEC), a device designed to enable seamless compatibility between current 400V and emerging 800V electric vehicle systems. Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation announced the launch of a new automotive-grade photorelay, the TLX9165T, designed to meet the growing demands of high-voltage electric vehicle battery systems.
The Electric For All campaign, a joint initiative by various organisations, includes hands-on experiences, community outreach, and multilingual media efforts to reach low-income and disadvantaged communities. The campaign emphasizes cost savings, driving range, and ease of charging as key benefits of EVs. The Ford Mustang Mach-E and the F-150 Lightning are featured prominently in the campaign. Actor Nick Offerman is lending his voice to a series of public service announcements for EVs.
Rivian aims to forge long-term partnerships with local universities and technical colleges in Georgia to support the growth of the EV industry in the state. Blink Charging Co. announced the acquisition of Zemetric, a charging infrastructure company specializing in fleet electrification. Mangrove Lithium has announced a major expansion to strengthen North America's domestic lithium supply chain with a new facility capable of producing 20,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium annually.
General Motors is expanding its U.S. battery production with a $900M investment, including the production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and lithium manganese rich (LMR) battery cells. Cenntro received 260 orders for its Logistar® 250 electric commercial vehicle during the first half of 2025.
In summary, the U.S. EV sector is at a crossroads, with strong infrastructure growth but uncertain sales and battery production outlooks due to policy changes and market maturity effects. The industry is adapting to the challenges, with companies like Rivian and Bojangles investing in Georgia, and Sensata Technologies and Toshiba launching new products to meet the growing demands of the EV market. The Electric For All campaign is working to increase awareness and adoption of EVs among low-income and disadvantaged communities, while the federal government continues to grapple with policy decisions that will impact the future of the EV industry in the U.S.
- The manufacturing industry, specifically the electric vehicle sector, is witnessing a transformative period in the United States, with advancements in technology playing a significant role.
- Amid policy changes, such as the phase-out of federal EV tax credits, the battery production sector in the U.S. is facing challenges, potentially leading to a demand shock for the industry.
- In the field of finance, substantial investments are being made in battery manufacturing and related mineral supply chains, like lithium, to fuel the growth of the electric vehicle industry.
- Companies like Tesla and EVgo are investing in charging infrastructure, a crucial aspect of the energy sector, expanding networks even beyond urban and coastal areas.
- Businesses across various sectors, including fast-food chains like Bojangles, are showing interest in the automotive industry by launching initiatives to support electric vehicle growth, such as installing charging stations at their locations.
