Lucid Named Best Luxury EV Brand as Renault Sets Efficiency Record and 2025 Ends with Global EV Sales Up 21 Percent

Introduction

As 2025 draws to a close, the electric vehicle industry presents a study in contrasts: global EV sales surged 21 percent while U.S. sales face their first year-over-year decline since 2019. Lucid Motors earned recognition as the Best Luxury EV Brand from U.S. News and World Report, Renault set an efficiency record by traveling 630 miles on a single charge, and Hyundai announced its biggest EV yet for debut at the Brussels Motor Show. At Shaffer Construction, Inc., we track these developments to help Los Angeles property owners understand the evolving EV landscape and make informed decisions about their commercial EV charger installations and residential charging solutions. This Sunday we examine year-end industry dynamics and why charging infrastructure remains strategically important despite near-term market volatility.

Lucid Motors Named Best Luxury EV Brand for 2025

U.S. News and World Report named Lucid Motors the Best Luxury Electric Vehicle Brand for 2025, ranking the American EV maker above Rivian, BMW, Porsche, and Tesla. The publication praised Lucid for its level of overall excellence despite the company offering only two models: the Air sedan and the new Gravity SUV. The Gravity received a perfect 10 out of 10 score, while the Air earned 9.3 out of 10, placing it at the top of luxury electric sedans. Source: Autoblog.

The complete rankings placed Rivian second, followed by BMW, Genesis, Tesla, Porsche, Cadillac, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo. The 2025 edition marks the first year U.S. News launched EV-dedicated categories, reflecting the segment's maturation as a distinct automotive market. Notably, Ford earned recognition as the Best EV Brand overall, while Lucid claimed the luxury segment. Awards will be presented at the Los Angeles Auto Show, bringing recognition to the hometown of Shaffer Construction's service area.

Lucid's victory despite limited production volume demonstrates that quality and technology leadership can overcome scale disadvantages in the premium segment. The Lucid Air's industry-leading range of over 500 miles and efficient drivetrain technology set benchmarks that competitors continue chasing. For property owners considering charging infrastructure, the presence of premium EVs with exceptional range reinforces that affluent drivers increasingly choose electric, creating demand for charging at upscale residential and commercial properties.

Renault Sets EV Efficiency Record with 630-Mile Single-Charge Journey

The Renault Filante Record 2025 technology demonstrator traveled 1,008 kilometers (approximately 630 miles) in 9 hours and 52 minutes on a single charge at the UTAC track in Morocco, achieving energy consumption of just 7.8 kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometers with over 11 percent battery remaining at completion. The vehicle used a production 87 kilowatt-hour battery pack from the Renault Scenic E-Tech, demonstrating that extreme efficiency is achievable with current battery technology through advanced engineering. Source: Electrek.

Chief Designer Sandeep Bhambra attributed the achievement to ultra-efficient aerodynamics, low-rolling-resistance Michelin tires, and lightweight construction including carbon fiber and 3D-printed aluminum components. The vehicle also employed steer-by-wire technology to optimize efficiency. Three drivers participated: Laurent Hurgon, Constance Leraud-Reyser, and Arthur Ferriere. The average speed of 102 kilometers per hour (64 miles per hour) demonstrated that efficiency gains apply at highway speeds relevant to real-world driving.

Renault's efficiency record complements the ultra-fast charging breakthroughs we covered in our analysis of Factorial Energy's solid-state batteries. While some manufacturers focus on faster charging, efficiency improvements reduce charging frequency and extend practical range. For property owners, both approaches benefit charging infrastructure value: efficient vehicles extend the appeal of Level 2 overnight charging, while fast-charging advances make DC fast charging more practical for commercial applications.

Hyundai to Unveil Biggest EV Yet at Brussels Motor Show

Hyundai announced it will debut its largest electric vehicle ever at the Brussels Motor Show on January 9, 2026, featuring advanced 800-volt charging architecture. Industry observers expect the vehicle to be an all-electric version of the Staria people mover, which at 5.25 meters (206.9 inches) in length exceeds even the Ioniq 9. Reports of a purely electric Staria first surfaced in mid-2024, with projections of up to 20,000 global sales annually. Source: Electrek.

The Brussels debut will also feature the updated Ioniq 6 making its first European motor show appearance, showcasing interior technology and digital feature upgrades. Hyundai's presence includes a dedicated N Zone for visitors to experience the Ioniq 5 N and Ioniq 6 N performance variants. The Brussels Motor Show is Belgium's largest indoor event, with 64 automotive brands confirmed and expectations of over 300,000 visitors based on prior editions.

Hyundai's expansion into larger EV formats addresses a market segment underserved by electrification. Vans and people movers serve commercial and family applications requiring substantial cargo capacity, and an 800-volt architecture enables fast charging that makes these larger vehicles practical for demanding use cases. For commercial property owners, the growing range of electric vans and commercial vehicles signals increasing demand for workplace and fleet charging infrastructure.

2025 Year in Review: Global EV Sales Rise 21 Percent as U.S. Market Faces Headwinds

Global electric vehicle sales reached 18.5 million units through November 2025, representing a 21 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. EVs are on track to comprise one in four total vehicle sales worldwide, with nearly 22 million new EVs projected for 2025. China remains the backbone of global sales, with 11.6 million units sold year-to-date, up 19 percent. Europe's EV market jumped 36 percent year-over-year in November, bringing total European sales to 3.8 million units, up 33 percent for the year. Source: Electrek.

The U.S. market presents a different picture, with Cox Automotive expecting sales to decline 2.1 percent to approximately 1.275 million units, the first year-over-year drop since the early days of the modern EV market. U.S. EV sales peaked in September at 10.3 percent of new vehicle sales before federal incentives ended, then dropped to preliminary estimates of 5.2 percent during the fourth quarter. The year was defined by extreme volatility driven by policy changes. Source: CNBC.

For Los Angeles property owners, the contrast between global growth and U.S. headwinds requires nuanced interpretation. California consistently leads U.S. EV adoption with penetration rates far exceeding national averages. As we noted in our coverage of California surpassing 200,000 EV chargers, the state's 68 percent more charger ports than gas nozzles reflects sustained local demand regardless of national trends.

Industry Outlook: EV Winter Concerns and Long-Term Trajectory

Morgan Stanley set the tone for year-end EV sentiment with warnings of an EV winter that will pressure demand and earnings into 2026, with U.S. EV volumes expected to fall approximately 20 percent next year. The bank's analysis reflects automaker pullbacks including Ford's 19.5 billion dollar writedown and GM's 1.6 billion dollar EV investment reduction. Multiple models were discontinued in recent months including the Acura ZDX, Nissan Ariya, Polestar 2, and Ford F-150 Lightning.

However, most industry experts do not believe this signals the end for EVs. PwC expects the EV industry to recover toward the end of the decade, with EVs forecast to reach 19 percent of the U.S. market by 2030. The long-term direction toward electrification remains clear; the timeline is being recalibrated rather than reversed. As we discussed in our analysis of charging technology innovations, infrastructure deployment continues advancing with 16,700 new fast charging ports opening in 2025, a 19 percent year-over-year increase.

The installed base of EVs continues growing even if sales temporarily plateau. Properties that invest in charging infrastructure during this period position themselves ahead of the next growth phase. Utility rebate programs remain available, and current market conditions provide installation capacity without extended wait times that characterized the 2022-2023 period.

What These Developments Mean for Los Angeles Property Owners

This Sunday's year-end developments highlight the EV industry's complexity as 2025 closes. Lucid's luxury brand recognition demonstrates that quality and innovation drive the premium segment regardless of production scale. Renault's efficiency record shows that engineering advances extend range without requiring larger batteries or faster charging. Hyundai's largest EV preview signals continued expansion into commercial and family vehicle segments.

The divergence between robust global growth and U.S. market headwinds reflects policy-driven volatility rather than fundamental demand weakness. California's position as a national leader in EV adoption means Los Angeles property owners face different dynamics than the national average suggests. The installed base of over 200,000 public chargers and 68 percent more ports than gas nozzles creates an ecosystem where EV drivers expect charging access as a standard amenity.

For property owners evaluating charging infrastructure investments, current conditions offer strategic advantages. Market uncertainty has not affected utility rebate availability or installation timelines. Properties that act during this window establish charging access before the next growth phase intensifies competition for electrical capacity and installation resources. Shaffer Construction helps property owners navigate these decisions through comprehensive electrical load studies that evaluate capacity and plan for future expansion.

Conclusion

As 2025 ends, the EV industry demonstrates both achievements and challenges. Lucid's luxury brand leadership, Renault's efficiency record, and Hyundai's expanding lineup show continued innovation and product development. Global sales growth of 21 percent confirms the fundamental trajectory toward electrification even as the U.S. market experiences near-term volatility. For Los Angeles property owners, California's leadership position and the installed base of over two million EVs statewide create sustained charging demand that outlasts quarterly sales fluctuations. Properties with charging access position themselves to serve this growing population of electric vehicle drivers regardless of short-term market dynamics.

Ready to explore EV charging options for your Los Angeles property? Contact Shaffer Construction, Inc. for a complimentary site assessment and expert guidance on selecting the right charging solution for your needs.

Shaffer Construction, Inc.
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