A new report reveals that while EV buyers in the U.S. have largely remained loyal to the electrified powertrain, a growing number are returning to gas-powered vehicles for their next purchase.
The details: Through June 2026, 52,154 EV households in the U.S. returned to the market and acquired a gasoline vehicle, excluding hybrids and plug-in hybrids—a 15.9% year-over-year increase, according to Mobility Global.
Among non-Tesla EV households, the share shifting from EVs to gasoline vehicles rose from 38.9% through June 2025 to 44.4% through June 2026.
Over the same period, the share of households acquiring another EV fell from 43.8% to 37.2%, while those moving to a hybrid increased slightly, from 17.3% to 18.4%.
Why it matters: The shift creates a growing opportunity for dealers to retain or conquest former EV buyers with gas-powered and hybrid alternatives, making a diverse inventory increasingly important as more consumers reconsider which powertrain best fits their needs.
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Between the lines: One of the report’s most notable findings suggests that powertrain availability plays a role in EV defection.
Limited choices in a desired segment, body style, price range, or brand can push a household away from an EV, with gasoline vehicles still offering the widest range of models, trims, and price points, according to Mobility Global.
Brand conquest results underscore the pattern, with Volkswagen, RAM and Acura over-indexing in their share of EV-to-gasoline conquests, while Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Kia under-index.
What they’re saying: “For automakers, these automotive consumer trends represent a meaningful conquest opportunity,” reads the Mobility Global report. “Capturing them requires more than a strong EV lineup. Brands also need gasoline and hybrid options in the segments and at the price points these consumers are looking for.”
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