Electric vehicle (EV) makers are under pressure due to macro challenges, tariff woes, and intense competition in key markets. Also, EV companies in the U.S. are expected to be adversely impacted by the end of federal tax credits. Nonetheless, analysts remain bullish on some EV stocks based on their superior technology, solid execution, and ability to grow despite ongoing challenges. Using TipRanks’ Stock Comparison Tool, we placed Lucid Group (LCID), Nio (NIO), and XPeng (XPEV) against each other to pick the best EV stock, according to Wall Street analysts.
Elevate Your Investing Strategy:
- Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence.
Lucid Motors Stock (NASDAQ:LCID)
Lucid stock has risen more than 19% over the past month, driven mainly by the announcement of a recent deal, under which ride-sharing giant Uber Technologies (UBER) aims to deploy 20,000 or more Lucid vehicles equipped with the Nuro Driver technology over a six-year period. Moreover, Uber will invest $300 million in Lucid as part of the robotaxi deal.
Investors also cheered the news that all Lucid Air sedan models will have the ability to charge utilizing Tesla’s (TSLA) Supercharger network beginning July 31. Despite the rise in LCID stock price over the past month, shares are still down about 20% year-to-date, as investors remain concerned about the company missing production and delivery expectations. Lucid is seeing softer demand for its pricier luxury EVs, as consumers are shifting to cheaper hybrid and gasoline-powered cars amid an elevated interest rate environment.
Lucid is scheduled to announce its results for the second quarter of 2025 on August 5. Wall Street expects the company to report a narrower loss per share of $0.21 compared to $0.34 in the prior-year quarter. Revenue is expected to rise by about 30% year-over-year to $261.26 million.
Is LCID Stock a Buy?
Following the Uber partnership news, Benchmark analyst Mickey Legg reiterated a Buy rating on Lucid stock and increased the price target to $7 from $5. Legg sees this collaboration as a clear strategic win, which “infuses capital and two world-class partners,” while expanding Lucid’s presence into autonomous ride-hailing. The analyst recommended buying LCID stock ahead of the Q2 earnings, as he expects continued positive momentum.
With seven Holds, one Buy, and one Sell recommendation, Wall Street has a Hold consensus rating on Lucid stock. The average LCID stock price target of $3.19 indicates 32% upside potential from current levels.
Nio Stock (NYSE:NIO)
Nio stock has rallied about 43% over the past month and is up about 15% year-to-date. Optimism about the company’s Onvo L90 SUV and resilient deliveries in the highly competitive Chinese EV market have helped drive the stock higher. Launched under Nio’s mass-market Onvo brand, the L90 SUV is expected to boost the company’s top line.
Last week, Nio reported a 2.5% year-over-year growth in its July deliveries to 21,017 vehicles. The company’s August deliveries are expected to be boosted by Onvo L90 sales. Overall, Nio’s Q2 deliveries jumped by about 26% year-over-year to 72,056 vehicles.
Is NIO a Buy, Sell, or Hold?
Last week, Macquarie analyst Eugene Hsiao upgraded NIO stock from Hold to Buy with a price target of $5.50. The 5-star analyst believes that the L90, priced at RMB 265.8k, is poised to be NIO’s most competitive offering. He noted that the L90 is a six-seat large SUV near the price of the five-seat Tesla Model Y.
Hsiao added that the L90 appears to be a better value for money compared to Li Auto’s (LI) recent i8 at a 17% lower entry price, but offering many similar features. Consequently, he raised his 2025 and 2026 volume estimates to 347,000 and 500,000, respectively.
However, several analysts don’t share Hsiao’s optimism. Overall, Wall Street has a Hold consensus rating on Nio stock based on five Holds, three Buys, and one Sell recommendation. The average NIO stock price target of $4.68 indicates a downside risk of 6.6% from current levels.
XPeng Stock (NYSE:XPEV)
XPeng stock has rallied about 53% year-to-date, as the company continues to impress investors with its stellar deliveries. The Chinese EV maker reported a 229% year-over-year jump in its July deliveries to 36,717 vehicles. In fact, July marked the ninth consecutive month of XPeng’s deliveries surpassing 30,000 units. This brings XPeng’s Q2 deliveries to 103,181 vehicles, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 242%.
The company’s expansion into Europe and launch of new models, including the updated G6 and G9 SUVs and P7+ sedan, drove higher demand in the first half. Overall, XPeng expects to double its deliveries in 2025 from 190,068 units last year. Expectations are high that the company will turn profitable in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Is XPEV a Good Stock to Buy?
Recently, Goldman Sachs analyst Tina Hou upgraded XPeng stock to Buy from Hold and raised the price target to $24 from $18.60, citing improving cost structure and new product strategies. The 4-star analyst stated that the company’s organizational and supply chain restructuring efforts are beginning to show results, supporting its expectations for more sustainable volume growth and better profit margins.
Hou noted that XPeng’s recent models, including the Mona M03 and P7+, have ranked among the top-selling cars in their segments. She added that the company is also accelerating its product rollout, planning to launch around 10 new or refreshed models annually, up from one to two in previous years, helping it maintain visibility in a crowded market.
Turning to Wall Street, XPeng stock scores a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on six Buys, two Holds, and one Sell recommendation. The average XPEV stock price target of $24.78 indicates 37.3% upside potential.
Conclusion
Wall Street is sidelined on Lucid and Nio, and bullish on XPeng stock. Analysts see higher upside potential in XPEV stock than in the other two EV stocks. Wall Street’s bullish stance on XPeng stock is based on the company’s impressive deliveries, innovation, and solid execution despite the intense competition in the Chinese EV market.