CES 2026: Top 10 EV trends that signal where electric cars are headed

CES 2026 highlights a transformative shift in electric vehicles (EVs) from mere transportation devices to intelligent, AI-native robotic systems that continuously learn and adapt. Key trends emphasize the integration of advanced AI technologies, such as Physical AI, which trains self-driving systems in hyper-realistic virtual environments to handle rare and complex real-world scenarios. This enables EVs to better interpret urban environments, anticipate interactions, and coordinate with other road users, effectively making vehicles autonomous and adaptive machines. Another major development is the rise of robotaxi platforms, exemplified by collaborations like Lucid-Nuro-Uber, which combine EV technology, AI, and service design to offer shared, on-demand autonomous mobility, shifting value from individual car ownership to subscription-based transport services. Additionally, the evolution of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) is turning EVs into cloud-connected computing platforms where core functions such as driver assistance and infotainment are managed by software, allowing continuous feature updates and new business models. Integrated robotics and AI are