Toyota's electric SUV sales surge to nearly 5,000 in August
Toyota led U.S. EV sales growth in August, selling 4,964 units, a 35% increase from July. The automaker's updated bZ SUV, now with a built-in NACS charge port and more range, is driving the expansion.
Toyota sold 4,964 electric vehicles in the United States in August, leading the market's growth with a 35% increase from July. This surge is attributed to the popularity of the automaker's refreshed lineup of electric SUVs, particularly the updated bZ model.
According to Cox Automotive's August EV Market Monitor, new lower-priced electric models helped drive a 2.5% increase in overall U.S. EV sales from July, with about 78,895 units sold. The firm noted that the average transaction price for a new EV fell to $54,754, narrowing the price gap with gas-powered vehicles to $4,847, or 9.7%. Cox said this lower price was due to higher sales of models like the Toyota bZ, Chevrolet Bolt, Toyota C-HR, and Tesla Model 3.
Tesla remained the market leader by a wide margin, selling 40,816 vehicles, though its market share fell to 51.7%. Following Tesla, Toyota, Rivian, Hyundai, and Cadillac were the top-selling EV brands for the month. Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Kia also posted sales growth in August.
The bZ's rising trajectory
Toyota's electric SUV sales represent a significant jump from August 2025, when the company sold just over 1,000 bZ4X models. The updated bZ, launched last October, has remained among America's top-selling EVs. It was the fourth best-selling EV in the first half of 2026, behind the Hyundai IONIQ 5, Tesla Model 3, and Tesla Model Y.
Through the first eight months of 2026, Toyota has sold over 22,500 bZ models. For context, Ford sold just 15,484 Mustang Mach-E units in the same period, a 55% decline from 2025.
Updated specs and pricing
The source credits the bZ's popularity to key updates, including more range, improved charging, a built-in NACS charge port, and a revamped interior. The 2027 model year brings specific pricing and range figures for the lineup.
| Model | Starting Price | EPA-Estimated Range |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Toyota bZ XLE FWD | $34,980 | Up to 236 miles |
| 2027 Toyota bZ FWD Plus | $37,980 | Up to 314 miles |
| Toyota C-HR | $37,080 | Not specified in source |
| Toyota bZ Woodland | $45,380 | Not specified in source |
Inside, the 2027 bZ features Toyota's updated cabin design with a new 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia display. The system includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Toyota's three-pronged EV lineup
Toyota now sells three electric SUV models in the U.S. market. Alongside the standard bZ and the off-road oriented bZ Woodland, the smaller C-HR rounds out the lineup. The source notes that with the new 2027 models now on sale, the best deals are on the outgoing 2026 versions.
