According to the Get Connected EV Quarterly Report 2026 Q2 from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, light trucks—encompassing utility vehicles, minivans, and pickups—accounted for 81% of all electric vehicle sales in the United States in the second quarter of 2026.
This signals a sustained shift toward heavier vehicle architectures that require specialized lifts and structural handling protocols in collision repair facilities. Utility vehicles alone, including battery electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, represented 75% of EV sales during the quarter.
At the close of Q2, the total installed U.S. EV fleet had grown to approximately 7.8 million vehicles.
This represents 2.63% of all light-duty vehicles in operation, or roughly one out of every 40 vehicles on the road.
The broader powertrain mix is also evolving at a pace that necessitates comprehensive high-voltage safety training for repair technicians.
Traditional hybrid market share increased by 4.9 percentage points year-over-year in Q2, reaching 21% of the market through the first half of 2026.
Simultaneously, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle share declined by 3.3 percentage points year-over-year, dropping to 71.9% of all light-duty sales.
Shifting vehicle valuations are directly impacting collision repair economics, particularly regarding total loss thresholds.
New EV affordability improved, with the average transaction price dropping 4.5% year-over-year to $56,238 in June.
However, used EV values moved in the opposite direction. The average used EV listing price increased 7% year-over-year to $38,342.
This widened the used EV price premium to $3,382 over comparable gas-powered vehicles.
Higher retained values generally increase the likelihood that insurance carriers will fund extensive repairs rather than declaring older EVs total losses.
Sourcing replacement components for these growing EV fleets remains heavily reliant on concentrated overseas supply chains.
In 2025, China produced 68% of global EV batteries, 48% of electric motors, and 93% of the rare-earth electric magnets required for those motors.
This integration extends further up the supply chain. China accounts for 95% of global graphite processing, 91% of manganese processing, 78% of cobalt processing, and 70% of lithium processing.
As Chinese automakers target over 7 million overseas vehicle sales in 2026, the collision repair industry will increasingly rely on this globally concentrated manufacturing ecosystem for critical replacement parts.
