Buyers Rush for EVs, Giving Carmakers a Needed Sales Boost

Carmakers including General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Hyundai Motor Co. saw a surge in new electric vehicle sales this past quarter, giving the industry a boost despite ongoing uncertainty from President Donald Trump’s shifting trade policies.

Shoppers rushed to take advantage of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit that expired Sept. 30, pushing up sales of pure battery-electric vehicles 21% from the prior-year period to a record 10% of overall deliveries, according to estimates from researcher Cox Automotive.