Ford, too, is making a battery plant to make prismatic LFP cells for future EVs. The positioning in Marshall, Michigan, has attracted political opposition amid controversy over Ford’s determination to license mental property for these cells from CATL, China’s largest battery firm. Ford pushed again on the criticism, arguing that America wants LFP batteries to decrease EV prices and “reshore” a know-how initially invented within the US. GM, in the meantime, says the IP in its LFP cells is totally owned by the 2 Ultium companions, LG and itself.
To date, Hyundai-Kia has not stated it should provide LFP cells in any of its US EVs. The discharge date of its 2026 Kia EV4 compact sedan, anticipated in 2026, is now “delayed till additional discover” as a result of “modified market situations.” The EV4 was regarded as priced within the mid $30,000s. No VW Group manufacturers, Toyota, Nissan, or different EV makers promoting within the US have introduced LFP plans.
Make ’Em Smaller
The biggest single section within the US market is small crossover SUVs. Future low-cost EVs might be “the identical subcompact and compact segments we all know at the moment,” says Stephanie Brinley, principal automotive analyst at S&P International Mobility. “The bigger the car, the upper the associated fee, and the bigger the battery it wants.”
New low-cost EVs can’t be a lot smaller than at the moment’s small SUVs, and but they’ve to stay utility automobiles. The 2026 Nissan Leaf and the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt match this mildew (type of): They’re tall hatchbacks with the “presence” and “stance” of SUVs, minus all-wheel drive.
The brand new Leaf S+ begins at $31,485 together with obligatory vacation spot price—and affords an EPA-rated 303 miles of vary. The extra widespread mid-range SV+ nonetheless stickers under $36,000 for 288 miles, And Nissan guarantees a bare-bones Leaf S to come back in under $30,000. When the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt LT hits sellers early subsequent 12 months, it should begin at $29,990—however a 1LT trim with fewer options will comply with later in 2026 for $28,995.
Make ’Em Easier
One other method is to supply a really completely different car at a really low headline price. Startup Slate Auto plans to supply a $25,000 compact pickup truck that radically simplifies the car: no central touchscreen (drivers mount their telephones on the sprint), one coloration (wraps are non-obligatory extras), no energy equipment (the home windows wind manually!). The fundamental car is a two-door, two-seat, small pickup roughly the scale of the gasoline and hybrid Ford Maverick. Slate could also be onto one thing: Reportedly, Toyota is now planning its personal smaller EV pickup fashions.
The $25,000 “Clean Slate” model may have 150 miles of rated vary. The only real manufacturing unit choice is a bigger pack, at 84.3 kWh versus the bottom 52.7 kWh, to take vary to an estimated 240 miles. Slate hasn’t revealed a value for the larger battery. A $5,000 accent converts the two-seat pickup right into a five-seat SUV, which may be put in by the proprietor (out of a flat pack) or by a distributor for a price. The most well-liked Slate could price round $35,000, if it ships by the tip of 2026 as deliberate.
