Browse
Log in / Register
Share
The United States risks falling behind nations such as Nepal, Ethiopia, Thailand, and Denmark in the transition to electric vehicles unless it adopts a clear, long-term strategy for transport electrification, according to EV charging technology company Thundergrid.
The warning comes despite a strong rebound in the U.S. EV market following recent fuel price volatility. In June 2025, battery electric vehicle registrations in the U.S. surged 154.6% year-over-year, accounting for more than 20% of all new vehicle sales. Electricity delivered through Thundergrid’s charging network also increased 44% year-over-year, powering an estimated 1.7 million miles of electric driving during the month.
However, Thundergrid co-founder Jonathan Zukerman says recent growth has been driven more by high fuel prices than by long-term policy certainty.
“The fuel crisis has shown Americans are willing to make the switch, but when fuel prices eventually stabilize, we’ll need something stronger than economics keeping the momentum going. That’s where a clear roadmap becomes critical,” says Zukerman.
Zukerman points out that some of the fastest-progressing countries aren’t necessarily the wealthiest; they’re the ones giving businesses, consumers, and infrastructure providers confidence about the future.
“Most people think of Norway or China when they think about EV success stories, but some of the biggest shifts are happening in places like Nepal and Ethiopia.”
Nepal has encouraged EV adoption through favorable tax policies and abundant renewable electricity, while Ethiopia has banned imports of new gasoline and diesel vehicles to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. Thailand has established itself as a regional EV manufacturing hub through investment incentives, and Denmark has expanded its public charging network to over 50,000 chargers, with electric vehicles now accounting for more than 60% of new car registrations.
“These countries are all very different, but have one thing in common: people have certainty, and infrastructure is available to support electrification. Businesses have confidence to invest in fleets and heavy transport, and consumers have confidence to switch to EVs,” says Zukerman.
In the U.S., Thundergrid is working with a freight operator running what it describes as the country’s first 600kWh electric truck and is exploring a national charging network to support wider heavy vehicle electrification. According to the company, the truck has saved more than $30,000 in operating costs during its first three months in service.
Zukerman says the U.S. already has many of the foundations needed to accelerate EV uptake.
“We generate more than 80% of our electricity from renewable sources, consumer demand is growing, and businesses are ready to invest. What we need now is the confidence that comes from a long-term plan,” he says.
“The fuel crisis has proven Americans are willing to embrace electric transport. The next challenge is creating the conditions that make the transition inevitable. Without greater certainty, the U.S. risks slowing just as other countries accelerate.”
New data point: A recent study by the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows that global EV sales are expected to reach 17 million units in 2025, with the U.S. market share rising but still trailing behind China and Europe. However, without a consistent national policy framework, the U.S. could lose its competitive edge in the next five years.
Exclusive perspective: Unlike the patchwork of state-level incentives, a federally coordinated EV roadmap—similar to the one proposed in the bipartisan infrastructure law but extended to include charging standards, fleet electrification targets, and consumer rebates—could unlock billions in private investment. Thundergrid’s call aligns with recent comments from the Electrification Coalition, which advocates for a 10-year national EV deployment plan.
The company’s warning comes as several U.S. states, including California, New York, and Washington, have announced plans to phase out new gasoline car sales by 2035. However, federal policy remains fragmented, and the lack of a unified timeline and infrastructure funding creates uncertainty for automakers, utilities, and charging providers.
Thundergrid emphasizes that a long-term roadmap would not only sustain consumer confidence but also help the U.S. attract manufacturing and supply chain investments that are currently flowing to countries like Thailand and Mexico.
This article was updated on July 18, 2025.
