The atmosphere is electric at this year’s Chicago Auto Show, including two indoor EV test tracks, dozens of models, and several high-profile debuts, including the first appearance by the Homegron Rivians.
But with an increase in EV sales and by President Donald Trump imposing tariffs, stopping infrastructure and threatening to eliminate federal tax credit, a wind of uncertainty hangs in the 117th edition of North America’s largest auto show Is, which opens in McCormic Place on Saturday.
David Green, an analyst at Cars.com, said, “I think 2025 is more uncertain than a few weeks ago, and it was already very uncertain where the EV is going to the market.”
The automakers are on EVS this year, characterized by the performance after the performance after performance, is characterized by sleek electric vehicles, charging stations and sales placard touting range. Beyond the Ev-Curius, there are a lot of other attractions to woo the attendees of this year’s show, a smooth 1,001-Horspower hybrid to the return of the Jeep Test track after one year interval from the Hybrid Lamborghini Supercar.
Even on Saturday and Sunday, there is a chance to take another wheel for a spin by auditioning for the “Wheel of Fortune” of ABC.
But if the electric vehicles are actually the future of the auto industry, then the future is now on the Chicago Auto Show, which added a second EV test track to accommodate a ride ride from dozens of vehicle manufacturers, including the new jeep Vagoner S and Dodge The first all-electric vehicle introduced by brands owned by Detona Charger-Stalentis.
Stelantis left last year’s show, removing his jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat and Ram vehicles from the floor and ended the two decades of the camp jeep.
In September 2021, the newcomer Revion, the newcomer rivian, who started production at a former Mitsubishi factory in Downstate Normal, is creating its first Chicago Auto Show appearance to introduce its second generation EVS-Downsed R2 and R3X SUV, which starts production which starts production Are slapped to do. Line starts in 2026.
The rivian will also provide rides on its R1S SUV, R1T truck and EV test tracks in its commercial van, sponsored by comed.
The R2 and R3X will be on performance, but will be parked next to the track, which will give the attendees the first look on the road. The rivian is trying to woo new buyers at price points under its first generation SUVs and trucks, which costs them above $ 80,000, making them ineligible for $ 7,500 federal tax credit. The price of R2 will start from $ 45,000.
“As you hit a more mainstream market … you’re talking to a broad set of spectators,” Mikhail Farah said during a media preview on Thursday. “As we talk to more people, it is more good in the show to focus on getting customers in a vehicle, experience it, and see what EV can do.”
The revision commercial van has a narrow target audience. Out of the van to give package to Chicago and other markets, a slight variation of Amazon electric delivery, Rivian will start selling generic versions to commercial customers this month. The price starts at $ 79,900 and qualification for $ 7,500 IRS commercial credit. Potential buyers range from distribution services to local contractors.
A ride around the Test track showed the boxy rivian van with a surprisingly consumer EVS. The Rivian appoints a software-controlled top speed limit of 70 mph, which is to keep the package from package or drivers by tapping its internal “fast and furious” while delivery.
According to the Kelly Blue Book of Cox Automotive, the growth has increased, EV sales recorded 1.3 million units last year, which is 8.1% of the total auto sales in the US. Tesla remains the top selling EV brand, although it showed a decline in the largest year-away volume of any manufacturer as heritage vehicle manufacturers increase their offerings and receive traction.
According to Cox, the total new vehicle sales reached around 16 million in 2024.
With 15 new products to hit the market, the COX projects EV sales to reach about 10% of the total new vehicle sales in 2025, despite policy changes in Washington who can slow down adoption in the long term. Other industry analysts have rapidly accelerated on short -term possibilities for EVS under Trump 2.0.
Last month, Trump issued an executive order, seeking “eliminating the electric vehicle mandate”, which threatened everything from $ 7,500 federal tax credit to charging infrastructure build-out. Trump also quashed former President Joe Biden’s 2021 executive order, which is half of all the new vehicles sold by 2030.
Green stated that it could take more than an executive order to “close” $ 7,500 tax credit, part of the 2022 biden’s comprehensive inflation deficiency act. At the same time, tightening of restrictions, including price, income and battery component requirements, is decreasing. EVS that qualifies for tax credit.
Giving an EV leasing, however, provides a commercial credit flaws that increase the ability to qualify for federal tax credit. Green said that 7 out of 10 EVs hitting the road in December were leased-far more lease-to-cell ratio than vehicles.
Many new car buyers can have a more imminent threat tariff. On 1 February, Trump announced 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, which a month later before offering a month later.
According to a report by S&P Global Mobility, last year, 3.6 million vehicles were imported from Canada and Mexico-many of which were gathered in large three-owned plants-out of all the vehicles sold in America more than fifth Representing 25% tariff can add $ 25,000 to $ 6,250 to a vehicle. In addition, if the components and parts are included in 25% tariffs, it will increase the price of “most vehicles produced in the US”, found in the report.
While both the new jeep Wagoner S and Dodo Detona Charger qualify for federal tax credit via EVS purchase or lease, jeep is made in Mexico and Dodge is built in Canada, according to Kelly Enterite, a Stellentis spokesperson .
“Right now, those federal incentives are offered and we urge consumers to go out for the dealership,” Enterite said on Thursday, declining to comment on the possible impact of the tariff.
Green stated that looming tariffs and tax credit threats can provide a catalyst to accelerate new car shopping, especially for EV buyers, Green said.
EV buyers can see a comed booth at one place. Utility announced on Thursday that it was offering $ 100 million at the discount this year, with $ 9 million to help the fund EV adoption, $ 9 million for home charging system, for purchase of EV fleet $ 53 million and $ 38 million for infrastructure charging projects are included.
Utility said that more than 50% of funds are reserved through low income and beneficial electrification scheme for equity communities.
A requirement under the state’s climate and justice of the state’s climate and the Act, Comed committed $ 231 million in three years to help customers help infection in EVS. According to Christina Botero, senior manager of the program, in 2024, Comed helped 3,500 charging ports and 200 electric fleet vehicles in funds.
This year, the comed is offering up to $ 3,750 for low -income customers and up to $ 1,000 for other residential customers to reduce the cost of household chargers. Last year, the discount for residential customers was $ 2,500, but the program went out of money in July, Batero said.
“We reduced it to be able to spread to more customers because it went so soon,” said Botero.
Stelanis, who recommended to build a midsize pickup truck at the Belvidare Assembly plant near Rockford last month, bringing back its full brand portfolio and camp jeep, where professional driver takes passengers on an indoor off-road course Go, deal with 28 feet. , 40-Digry hill climb.
Further road can be equally challenging for the auto industry – especially in the EV segment – 2025.
“We are going to find out what is really natural demand, especially if a huge incentive goes away,” Green said.
The auto show runs from 17 February.