The photo shows export-bound automobiles lined up at Pyeongtaek Port in Gyeonggi Province on November 14. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 4 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea’s electric vehicle (EV) exports to the United States plunged nearly 90 percent last year, hit by Washington’s auto tariffs and the rollback of subsidies under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, industry data showed Wednesday.
According to the data from the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association, South Korea’s EV exports to the U.S. totaled 12,166 units in 2025, down 86.8 percent from 92,049 units the previous year.
It marks the lowest annual figure since 2022, when EV shipments began gaining momentum.
The trend intensified near the end of the year, with South Korea exporting just 13 EV units to the U.S. in November alone, logging the lowest monthly figure on record.
Hyundai Motor Displays High-Performance Electric Vehicle “IONIQ 6 N” at the 2025 LA Auto Show (Image provided by Hyundai Motor and Kia)
As a result, the share of U.S. shipments among South Korea’s total global EV exports shrank to 4.6 percent last year, compared with 35 percent in 2024.
Industry watchers expected EV exports to the U.S. to remain sluggish for the time being due to the tariffs and Washington’s rollback of related subsidies.
“South Korean automakers may need to focus more on other markets, such as Europe, where carbon-neutral policies are gaining traction,” an industry observer said.
(Yonhap)
