In this article, we discuss 11 small-cap EV stocks to invest in along with the latest updates around the EV industry.

The electric vehicle (EV) industry was growing at a strong pace over the last few years. However, it’s facing some challenges that have slowed down the growth. It does not mean that the industry is at a halt. Over time, it is on track to take over the internal combustion engines entirely.

The transition to EVs is proving more difficult than anticipated, with consumer demand not matching expectations, partly due to a lack of charging infrastructure and the complexity of switching from long-established fuel technologies.

A CNBC report from September 10 states that European car manufacturers are facing a range of challenges in their shift toward EVs, which is leading several companies to rethink their timelines. Volvo recently abandoned its goal of selling only EVs by 2030. Instead of that, it is opting to remain flexible and include hybrid models in its lineup.

Other major automakers, such as Volkswagen, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz, have similarly delayed plans to phase out internal combustion engine vehicles due to market uncertainties, including slower infrastructure development and changing government incentives.

Despite these short-term setbacks, experts believe automakers will continue investing in EVs to remain relevant in the market.

The Competitive Edge of Chinese Electric Vehicle Makers

While the growth in the US and Europe is slowing down, China is picking up a significant pace and dominating the EV landscape. According to a World Economic Forum report, Chinese EVs are much cheaper than their Western counterparts, with an average price of $34,400, compared to $55,242 in the U.S. The price gap is driven by lower labor costs, favorable government subsidies, and more affordable battery sourcing.

Chinese automakers now produce more than half of the world’s EVs and are using their cost advantages to potentially dominate the global market. As Chinese brands gain scale and expertise, their competitive pricing could allow them to challenge Western automakers.

The Western EV Market Compared to China

While Tesla remains a strong competitor to China, other U.S. and European automakers have been slower to compete effectively due to high prices and limited EV options. However, the US government and the private sector are also trying their best to expand the industry and become a dominant force in the EV industry.

According to a Reuters report published on September 23, Monroe Capital LLC announced its intention to launch a new fund, the Drive Forward Fund LP, aimed at raising up to $1 billion to provide loans for smaller auto suppliers as the industry transitions from ICE vehicles to EVs.

The White House supports the intention and said that this fund will help small and medium-sized auto manufacturers to access affordable capital to refinance, grow, and diversify their operations and will benefit the over 250,000 employees in this sector.

The recent implementation of new U.S. tariffs on Chinese EVs, along with the need for compliance with strict emissions regulations, is pushing automakers to adapt their supply chains.

Monroe CEO Ted Koenig stated that the fund would be vital for stimulating growth and innovation in the automotive supply chain. Many small and medium suppliers currently struggle to secure financing, which limits their ability to move toward EV part production.

Apart from that, we also discussed DOE’s move to boost EV operations in the US in our article about the 8 Best EV Stocks to Buy According to Short Sellers. Here is an excerpt from the article:

“…the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) said on July 11 that the Biden administration, through the DOE, announced $1.7 billion in grants aimed at converting 11 at-risk auto manufacturing facilities across eight states to produce electric vehicles (EVs) and their components.

This move is part of President Biden’s broader “Investing in America” initiative, which seeks to revive manufacturing communities and protect union jobs. The grants are designed to keep the U.S. auto industry competitive, especially as global rivals invest heavily in EVs. The program, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, will help retain over 15,000 union jobs and create nearly 3,000 new positions across the selected facilities. These facilities will manufacture a wide range of EV-related products, from parts for electric motorcycles to batteries for heavy-duty trucks.”

Erin Keating of Cox Automotive is also bullish on the US EV industry as she pointed out in a CNBC Power Lunch interview that competitive lease deals are putting downward pressure on used EV prices. She sees it as a positive, as more leased vehicles will eventually enter the used market, and ensure a steady supply of affordable EVs.

Addressing concerns about EV infrastructure and range anxiety, Keating reassured consumers that used EV batteries are holding up well, with minimal degradation. As infrastructure improves, she expects consumer confidence and EV adoption to grow.

With that, we look at the 11 Small Cap EV stocks to Invest In.

Our Methodology

For this article, we made a list of 20 small-cap companies that are involved in the EV industry, as of September 25. Our small cap threshold is between $1 billion to $10 billion. We narrowed our list to 11 stocks most widely held by institutional investors. The 11 small cap EV stocks to invest in are listed in ascending order of their hedge fund sentiment.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

11 Small Cap EV Stocks to Invest In

11. ZEEKR Intelligent Technology Holding Limited (NYSE:ZK)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 11

ZEEKR Intelligent Technology Holding Limited (NYSE:ZK) is an emerging player in the electric vehicle market, specializing in premium electric cars. The company made its debut with the Zeekr 001 model in April 2021, which began deliveries in October of the same year.

The car rapidly gained popularity and the company delivered nearly 72,000 units of the 001 model across over 330 cities in China by 2022. It is one of the best EV stocks to invest in.

The company has formed strategic partnerships with several industry leaders to accelerate its innovation and growth. It has pursued partnerships with notable tech companies like Waymo and Mobileye to develop autonomous driving solutions in addition to bringing advanced capabilities to its vehicles.

ZEEKR (NYSE:ZK) is gaining significant momentum in the EV market as it delivered over 18,000 vehicles in August, up 46% year-over-year. As of September 1, the company has delivered 121,540 year-to-date, representing an 81% year-over-year growth.

In August, the company unveiled its latest vehicle, Zeekr 7x, which is a mid-size battery-electric crossover SUV. The vehicle received over 20,000 pre-orders in the first week after its launch on August 30.

In terms of performance, the single-motor variant of 7x delivers 310 kW (416 hp) and has a range of 605 km (376 miles), while the dual-motor version has a total output of up to 475 kW (637 hp) and accelerates from 0 to 60 mp/h in just 3.8 seconds. The vehicle is equipped with rapid charging capabilities, which allows the 75 kWh battery to charge from 10% to 80% in just 10.5 minutes.

Analysts are also quite bullish on ZEEKR (NYSE:ZK) as it has been covered by 7 analysts and all of them maintain a Buy-equivalent rating on the company stock. Their average price target of $33.35 represents an upside of nearly 82% from current levels, as of September 25.

In Q2, 11 hedge funds held positions worth $59.158 million in the company.

10. Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC (NASDAQ:PSNY)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 12

One of the best EV stocks, Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC (NASDAQ:PSNY) is a Swedish automotive manufacturer that produces electric vehicles. The company operates with an “asset-light” model, which means it does not own manufacturing facilities outright. Instead, it relies on production capabilities from Volvo and Geely facilities located in various countries, including China, the United States, and South Korea.

The company began as Flash Engineering, a Swedish motorsport team that participated in the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship. Over time, the team transitioned into car tuning and rebranded itself as Polestar Racing, and became an official partner of Volvo for performance modifications. In 2015, Volvo acquired Polestar and redefined it as a brand dedicated to electric vehicles.

Polestar Automotive (NASDAQ:PSNY) has several cars under its brand. The Polestar 1 was produced as a premium performance hybrid and only 1500 have been produced globally. The car was discontinued in 2022 and featured a hybrid powertrain consisting of a front-mounted petrol engine and two rear electric motors, which produced a combined output of 619 horsepower.

It has also won 8 automotive awards. The Polestar 2, Polestar 3, and Polestar 4 are completely electric offerings of the company. The first Polestar 4 SUV Coupe was delivered in August.

On August 14, the company announced the commencement of production for its luxury SUV, the Polestar 3, at a facility in South Carolina, making it the first model from the brand to be manufactured on two continents. The factory will supply vehicles for both the US and European markets. Most experts consider it a strategic move to avoid recent tariffs on vehicles made in China.