The Decline of Electric Vehicles: A Look at Discontinued Models in 2023

TL;DR

• Multiple EV models canceled or discontinued in 2025–2026: The Honda Prologue remains as Honda’s sole U.S. EV after the brand canceled three planned U.S.-built EVs, including the Acura RSX and 0 Series models, while Acura also dropped its first EV, the ZDX.
• Sagging demand and tax credit expiration drove exits: Sales of EVs flattened after 2023 and sharply declined once federal EV tax credits phased out at the end of September 2025, prompting automakers like Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Nissan, Volvo, and Mazda to pull or pause models.
• Future EV adoption faces uncertainty: With brands scaling back plans, shifting to hybrids, or exiting the U.S. market entirely (e.g., Polestar), consumer choice is narrowing and the pace of EV adoption may slow unless new incentives or improved models emerge.

The Decline of Electric Vehicles: A Look at Discontinued Models in 2023

The U.S. electric vehicle landscape is undergoing a dramatic shift. After a period of rapid growth, automakers are now canceling, discontinuing, or pausing production of several EV models. Notable examples include the Honda Prologue’s precarious position as Honda’s only remaining U.S. EV, the Acura ZDX, the BMW iX, the Nissan Ariya, the Volvo EX30, the Hyundai Ioniq 6, the Kia Niro EV, and the Mazda MX-30.

Honda’s March 2026 decision to cancel three planned U.S.-built EVs—including the Acura RSX and the 0 Series Saloon and SUV—left the brand with just the Mexican-built Prologue on dealership lots. Acura had already discontinued its first EV, the ZDX, in September 2025.

Why Are Automakers Pulling Back?

The primary drivers behind these exits are falling demand and the expiration of federal EV tax credits. EV demand grew nearly eightfold between 2019 and 2023 but flattened in 2024 and then “took a dive off a cliff” after federal tax credits phased out at the end of September 2025. Sales of models like the BMW iX had already been declining for two years before the tax credit ended, which “only exacerbated the iX’s decline.”

Hyundai confirmed it would stop selling the Korean-built Ioniq 6 and not ship the 2026 Kona Electric to U.S. dealerships. Kia discontinued the Niro EV, and Volvo pulled the EX30 after just two model years. Nissan halted production of the Ariya after three years, calling it a “pause” with no plans to reintroduce it. Mazda withdrew its only all-electric model, the MX-30, after the 2023 model year and is now focusing on hybrids for North America.

The Impact on Consumer Choice and EV Adoption

These cancellations are shrinking the pool of available EVs for U.S. buyers. Honda now offers only one EV; Hyundai and Kia are reducing their lineups; and Polestar is exiting the U.S. entirely after the Commerce Department denied authorization to sell new 2027-model vehicles. Even industry leaders like Ford, Tesla, and GM are revising strategies or discontinuing high-profile EVs, including GM’s decision to scrap the Chevy Bolt, its most popular and least expensive EV.

The trend suggests a slowing pace of EV adoption unless new incentives, improved battery technology, or more compelling models emerge. Automakers are increasingly pivoting to hybrids or next-generation EVs with “improved features” to regain consumer interest.

What’s Next for the U.S. EV Market?

The “EV graveyard” is expanding, with at least 18 brands now dropping existing models, scrapping upcoming plans, or delaying launches. While some models may return in updated forms, the immediate outlook points to a more cautious EV strategy across the industry. For consumers, the message is clear: the era of rapid EV expansion is pausing, and the future of electric driving will depend on whether automakers can deliver vehicles that match consumer expectations for price, performance, and practicality.

AndroGuider Team

Articles written by the AndroGuider team. We try to make them thorough and informational while being easy to read.