One positive area to focus on is U.S. electric- vehicle sales, which were just fine in the third quarter, outpacing the overall auto market while showing accelerating growth. For the overall industry, third-quarter EV sales rose roughly 8% year over year, according to preliminary numbers from data provider Cox Automotive. The average EV is roughly $57,000, about $10,000 more than the average vehicle, putting most EVs in the luxury car category.