March Madness in EVs: Tesla’s Future, Tariffs & Dealership Wars – Grid Connections Panel

Grid Connections

Summary

The EV industry is at a crossroads, and this Grid Connections panel dives deep into the biggest shifts shaping its future. John McElroy (President, Autoline Network), Loren McDonald (Chief Data Analyst of Paren), and Matt Teske (CEO of Chargeway) break down the impact of Trump’s tariffs on EV pricing and jobs, Tesla’s brand shift and global sales decline, and the growing fight over direct-to-consumer EV sales. Plus, we explore the state of EV charging infrastructure, the NEVI program’s delays, and why dealerships are struggling to sell EVs. Whether you’re an EV enthusiast, industry insider, or just EV-curious, this episode is packed with insights you won’t hear anywhere else. 🚗⚡

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Links from this Episode

• JD Power Vehicle Dependability
• EV Politics Project Poll of Elon Musk

Takeaways

1. Tesla’s Declining Brand Loyalty: Once the gold standard for EVs, Tesla is losing customer loyalty as Elon Musk’s politics alienate longtime supporters while failing to attract new buyers who can afford its vehicles.
2. Trump’s Tariffs Could Reshape EV Pricing & Jobs: The new tariffs on imported EVs and auto parts could drive up prices, slow adoption, and force automakers to rethink production strategies. Meanwhile, dealers warn of $7 billion in unsold EV inventory.
3. Supercharger Network Still Sets the Industry Standard: Despite Tesla’s brand struggles, its charging network remains the most reliable and efficient—raising the question of whether the government should fund Tesla instead of fragmented public charging initiatives.
4. NEVI Funding Paused – But Charging Growth Continues: The federal NEVI program is stalled, but private companies like IONNA, BP Pulse, and Mercedes-Benz are still aggressively expanding charging networks, with 16,000+ new fast-charging ports expected in 2024.
5. The Fight Over Direct EV Sales Heats Up: Volkswagen’s Scout Motors is facing a legal battle as it tries to sell EVs directly to consumers, while dealerships—historically skeptical of EVs—now demand control of new EV brands.
6. More Charging Stations Don’t Automatically Boost EV Sales: Studies show that non-EV owners don’t even notice charging stations, meaning the key to EV adoption is better consumer education, not just infrastructure expansion.
7. The EV Leasing Boom is Changing the Market: As more buyers opt for leasing to take advantage of federal tax credits and faster technology updates, leasing could be a major driver of future EV adoption as long as the credits remain.

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NEVI, EV charging, infrastructure, federal policy, rideshare, rural charging, electric vehicles, multifamily, charging deserts, state responses, industry trends, DCFC, DC Fast Charging