Slate Daily Feed What Next: TBD | End of an Electric Avenue
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Sep 7, 2025 
Ryan Felton, a Wall Street Journal reporter covering the automotive industry, dives into the precarious state of electric vehicles as tax credits face cuts. He examines how this could stifle sales, transforming EVs from accessible options to luxury items. The discussion highlights the historical evolution of tax incentives and their impact on consumer behavior. Felton also sheds light on the challenges American automakers face against international competitors and how industry representatives in Colorado are navigating these turbulent waters.
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Dealerships Flood Market With Deep EV Deals
- Ryan Felton describes dealers in Colorado offering extremely cheap EV leases to move cars before the federal credit expired.
- He observed $65,000 Kia leases for about $189/month and some $20/month offers that drew big crowds.
Range Focus Made EVs Expensive
- Building long-range EVs pushed automakers to use larger, expensive batteries which made many early models feel like luxury products.
- That design choice limited affordable mass-market EV options and kept prices high.
Dealer-Delivered Credit Fueled EV Growth
- The Inflation Reduction Act changed the EV credit so dealers could apply it up front, lowering monthly payments and boosting demand.
- This shift made EVs financially palatable and triggered a growth surge while manufacturers expanded battery and EV production.