South Korea saw a drastic drop in its electric vehicle (EV) exports to the United States last year, with a nearly 90% decline compared to the previous year. Data from the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association revealed that only 12,166 EV units were exported to the U.S. in 2025, down from 92,049 units in the prior year. This decline was attributed to Washington’s auto tariffs and the withdrawal of subsidies during the Trump administration.
The downward trend in EV exports was particularly evident towards the end of the year, with only 13 EV units shipped to the U.S. in November, marking a record low for monthly exports. Consequently, the share of U.S. shipments in South Korea’s total global EV exports dropped to 4.6% in 2025, a significant decrease from 35% in 2024. Industry experts anticipate that the sluggish exports to the U.S. may persist due to existing tariffs and subsidy reductions.
Industry observers suggest that South Korean automakers may need to shift their focus to other markets, such as Europe, where carbon-neutral policies are gaining momentum. In a related development, South Korea’s overall auto exports experienced a 10.5% decline in October compared to the previous year, mainly due to fewer business days resulting from the extended Chuseok holiday. Despite this, the value of accumulated auto exports from January to October reached a record high of $59.6 billion.
Data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources indicated that October exports were impacted by the Chuseok holiday, which fell in early October in 2025, unlike in 2024 when it occurred in September. Notably, exports to the U.S. dropped by 29% year-on-year in October, amounting to $2.12 billion, likely influenced by the 25% import tariffs imposed on Korean cars by the Trump administration.
