With another year in the rearview, the electric vehicle (EV) industry continues to expand and innovate. It’s been a year since our last deep dive into some exciting industry insights, so let’s look at what we can expect in 2026.
New EV Models Making Their Debut in 2026
With growing demand for EVs, manufacturers have been listening. With more models and manufacturers entering the EV market, there is something for everyone. Some notable mentions include:
Rivian R2
Rivian’s more affordable model with a $45,000 starting price. This model is perfect for those desiring a car capable of adventure and innovation.
Afeela 1
The 2026 Afeela 1 marks the first production vehicle from Sony and Honda’s joint venture – signaling both companies’ push to get a foot in the EV industry.
Nissan Leaf 2026
Fifteen years after its initial release, the iconic Leaf is getting a dramatic redesign. With its attractive starting price, the Leaf is an affordable option for those looking for a reliable classic.
2026 Jeep Recon
A fully electric utility vehicle perfect for those craving off-road adventures. The model features four removable doors, offering drivers complete open-air freedom.
Bentley’s All-Electric SUV
The currently unnamed hyper-luxury electric SUV is set to be revealed later this year and is an excellent option for luxury vehicle enthusiasts looking to go electric.
Expanding Autonomous EV Ridesharing
Another exciting advancement in the EV industry in 2026 is the expected rise in electric autonomous ridesharing. Alphabet-backed Waymo continues to lead the charge in proliferating self-driving ridesharing, fueling new competition along the way. Tesla’s Robotaxi, along with other new entrants such as Amazon’s Zoox, Vay, and Lucid’s version with Uber and Nuro, continue to push the industry forward. In 2026, Waymo plans to aggressively expand into new U.S. markets. As of late 2025, the autonomous, electric Jaguar-manufactured vehicles operate in five predominant U.S. metropolises: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Austin, and Phoenix. The company announced in late 2025 that they will begin operations in Miami, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando. In 2026, we can expect to see more all-electric autonomous ridesharing companies established while existing ones continue to expand.
Expanding Charging Network and Growing EV Adoption Across the Globe
With the rise in EV adoption comes the need for more robust, dependable EV charging solutions. In October 2025, the company shared in a post on social media that there were 1,359,187 available stations listed on Plugshare, a global crowdsourced charger discovery app. With over a million global EV stations available on the app, an increase of over 200,000+ from October 2024, it is evident that access to charging stations is only continuing to increase to meet the steadily growing demand.
Similarly, in a press release last September, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state exceeded 200,000 public and shared stations. This number, paired with the estimated 800,000 EV chargers installed in single-family homes, brings California to over 1 million EV chargers, with 94% of Californians living within 10 minutes of a charger. In 2026, with continued state (p 41) and private funding, CPOs (Charge Point Operators) can continue expanding charging networks worldwide, democratizing access to charging solutions. A frequent deterrent for prospective EV drivers is the lack of reliable public stations, but with this fear mitigated, more drivers can make the switch to electric.
Learn more about rising EV adoption rates outside of the United States: From Norway to Kenya to China: Countries Around the World are Embracing the Switch to EVs
Chargie in 2026
At Chargie, we’re looking forward to 2026 and everything it will bring to the EV industry. With expansion on the horizon, we are excited to strengthen our network and continue providing drivers with industry-leading charging solutions. To date, Chargie has installed 22,000+ stations across 1,200+ properties. Our diverse portfolio of public and private stations delivers dependable, intuitive charging solutions crafted for all property types. Ready to get started with Chargie today? Connect with one of our EV experts today to learn more.
