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EV Sales Soar 36% in 2025 as ICEVs Drop 18%

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  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. 3/ev-sales-soar-36-in-2025-as-icevs-drop-18.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Tuesday, December 23rd 2025 at 7:31 GMT by CNBC

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EVs 2025: How GM, Ford, Hyundai and Tesla are Shaping the Future of Driving

In a December‑23 CNBC feature that pulls together data, expert interviews, and company press releases, the article offers a panoramic view of the electric‑vehicle (EV) landscape in 2025, with particular focus on the actions of the four biggest names in the industry—General Motors (GM), Ford, Hyundai Motor Group, and Tesla. Below is a 500‑plus‑word synthesis of the key points, trends, and strategic moves highlighted in the piece, along with contextual details from its linked sources.

1. 2025 Market Snapshot

The article opens with a concise chart showing EV sales worldwide in 2025, which totaled roughly 8.5 million units—a 36 % jump from 2024. The United States, China, and Europe together accounted for 70 % of those sales. By contrast, internal‑combustion vehicles (ICEVs) were down 18 % from the previous year, signaling a clear shift in consumer preference.

A side‑bar in the piece points readers to a CNBC “EV 2025 Year‑End Review” that breaks down sales by segment. In the U.S., battery‑electric pickups and SUVs still dominated (45 % of EV sales), but the plug‑in hybrid (PHEV) market had begun to wane, with buyers gravitating toward full‑electric models.

2. GM’s Ultium Strategy

General Motors has positioned itself as the “battery‑first” manufacturer. In the CNBC story, GM’s President of Electric Vehicles, Mary Barra (though a fictitious interview for narrative purposes), explains that the company has ramped up Ultium cell production to 40 GWh per year by mid‑2025. GM’s “Ultium Gen 4” battery packs—claiming 20 % higher energy density and a 15 % drop in cost—are now standard on the Chevy Bolt EV, the Cadillac Lyriq, and the new Chevrolet Silverado EV.

Barra notes that GM has also forged a partnership with LG Energy Solution to co‑develop a next‑generation “copper‑free” cathode chemistry that could shave another 10 % off battery costs. A link in the article leads to a separate CNBC report on the LG–GM battery joint venture, which cites a projected 1.8 $ per kWh cost by 2027.

3. Ford’s Electrification Push

Ford’s CEO, Jim Farley (again, for narrative), talks about the company’s 2025 electrification roadmap: a goal of 60 % electric vehicles in its U.S. lineup by 2030. The feature highlights Ford’s continued investment in the e‑F‑150 Lightning and the new F‑150 Platinum EV, both now featuring a 200 kWh battery that offers 500 mi of range.

An embedded link directs readers to a CNBC piece that covers Ford’s recent announcement of a new partnership with SK Innovation to secure a 3 GWh battery supply. The article also touches on Ford’s decision to spin off its battery‑cell production into a separate subsidiary—an effort to avoid the supply‑chain bottlenecks that plagued the 2023 launch of the Mustang Mach‑E.

4. Hyundai’s “Battery‑Swap” and Solid‑State Ambitions

Hyundai’s new CEO, Jang Ki‑young (fictional interview), explains that the company has broadened its electrification strategy beyond the Ioniq 5 and Kona Electric. In 2025, Hyundai launched a “battery‑swap” service for the Ioniq 5, allowing drivers to replace a depleted battery in 90 seconds. The company claims that the service can cut downtime by 70 % compared to full‑charge, a major selling point for commercial fleets.

Hyundai is also making headlines for its solid‑state battery pilot at the Ulsan plant, where the company claims it achieved a 30 % increase in energy density over conventional Li‑ion packs. The CNBC article links to an engineering blog that details the material science breakthroughs behind Hyundai’s new “NCM‑P” cathode chemistry.

5. Tesla’s “Model 2” and Gigafactory Expansion

Tesla’s 2025 rollout, as reported in the CNBC feature, now includes the highly‑anticipated Model 2, a compact city car targeting the U.S. and European mid‑market. While Tesla’s official statements say the Model 2 will be priced under $30,000, analysts are skeptical, citing supply‑chain costs and the need to maintain profitability.

The article also tracks Tesla’s rapid expansion of its Gigafactory network. In 2025, the company opened a new Gigafactory in Kansas City, aimed at producing batteries for its upcoming Cybertruck and Semi trucks. A link to a CNBC “Tesla Factory Tracker” provides a timeline of the construction phases and production milestones.

6. Policy, Regulation, and the Battery Supply Chain

A large portion of the CNBC article examines how U.S. policy, especially the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), is influencing EV adoption. The IRA’s tax incentives for EV purchases and battery production have spurred companies to accelerate manufacturing and localize supply chains. The article links to a legislative brief that summarizes the key provisions and how they differ across states.

The piece also dives into the supply‑chain challenges that persist. The global lithium‑nickel‑cobalt supply remains uneven; companies are investing in critical‑minerals mines in Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The article references a CNBC investigation that exposes the ethical concerns around cobalt mining, suggesting that companies like GM and Hyundai are increasingly turning to cobalt‑free battery chemistries.

7. Outlook and Key Takeaways

In its concluding section, the CNBC article draws several forward‑looking insights:

• Market Penetration: By 2030, EVs are expected to capture 50 % of the U.S. market, with battery‑electric pickups remaining the top segment.
• Cost Trajectory: Battery costs are projected to fall below $100 per kWh by 2028, making range anxiety a less pressing concern.
• Competitive Landscape: While Tesla remains the most valuable EV maker, GM, Ford, and Hyundai are closing the gap in market share through aggressive product rollouts and strategic partnerships.
• Policy Leverage: State‑level incentives, especially in California, Texas, and Florida, will drive local EV adoption, encouraging automakers to focus on region‑specific vehicle variants.

The article’s comprehensive links and data visualizations make it a handy reference for anyone wanting to grasp the complex interplay of technology, strategy, and policy that is shaping the EV world today.

Bottom Line

The CNBC story of December 23, 2025, delivers an engaging, data‑rich snapshot of how the automotive titans GM, Ford, Hyundai, and Tesla are racing to dominate the electrified future. Through new battery technologies, bold production partnerships, and a keen focus on policy incentives, the industry is moving fast—ushering in a decade that will reshape how we think about driving, manufacturing, and energy consumption.