168: Gas Prices Are Up. EV Sales Aren't. Why?

168: Gas Prices Are Up. EV Sales Aren't. Why?

From Batteries Included by Batteries Included

September 2, 2026 · 47 min · Episode 168

About this episode

The episode explores the paradox of rising gas prices and stagnant EV sales in the US, featuring insights from industry experts.

Gas Prices Are Up. EV Sales Aren't. Why? Gas has stayed above $4 a gallon nationally for five months since the Iran conflict shut down the Strait of Hormuz — historically the kind of price shock that spikes EV sales, and it still is in Europe, Southeast Asia, and China. In the US, EV sales have basically stayed collapsed since the $7,500 federal tax credit expired last September. We dig into why: the actual sales numbers, the affordability paradox (cheap EVs exist and still aren't selling), and the real — and more complicated than you'd think — political split in EV adoption. Guests: 🔋 Laycee ("Miss GoElectric") — product expert and educator https://www.youtube.com/@MissGoElectric 🔋 Matthew Hunsinger — Social psychologist at Pacific University 🔋 Nikki Stern — Chief Analyst at Escalent and author of their EVForward reports https://escalent.co/industries/automotive-and-mobility/ Enjoyed the show? Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/batteriesincluded Got a take on any of this? Drop it in the comments — we read them all. If you liked the show, please push all our buttons. 🔔👍

People in this episode

Guests: Laycee, Matthew Hunsinger, Nikki Stern

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Escalent

Places: Iran, Strait of Hormuz, Europe, Southeast Asia, China

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