We’ve heard about the rise of electric SUVs for a couple of years. So far, these promising new, larger EVs—some of which are barely larger than traditional sedans—have had little impact. Will we see signs of change when May sales numbers are reported early next week?

Tesla confirmed today that it delivered 200,000 electric cars to buyers in the United States, the first automaker to reach that level of sales. The milestone is a mixed blessing because it means that the $7,500 federal EV tax credit available to Tesla customers will be reduced by 50 percent in six months—and continue to diminish to zero by about January 2020.

CNN last week declared that 2018 will be “the year of the electric car.” This proclamation happens nearly every year—despite the fact that electric cars remain about 1 percent of the new-car market. CNN rightly states, “Americans (in 2018) will finally be able to buy reasonably affordable and widely available electric cars that can hold enough power to breeze through their daily routines with no worries.” Perhaps the news organization is pointing to the new breed of longer-range EVs. But other signs indicate that we are more likely to see steady growth rather than a quantum leap in EV adoption.

News sources reported today that Tesla fired hundreds of workers on Friday. The dismissals come as the company is falling behind on production targets for the Tesla Model 3, its all-important mass-market affordable long-range small electric car. Tesla encountered missed deadlines and production delays for its previous models, only to turn things around and produce award-winning vehicles credited for pushing the entire auto industry toward electric vehicles.

The much-anticipated Tesla Model 3 will start rolling off the production line this week, about two weeks earlier than planned. That marks an important milestone for the company—and for the electric vehicle industry—as Tesla gets closer to its goal of becoming a producer of mass-market electric cars.

With one week to go before Tesla unveils a production version of the Tesla Model 3, more details are emerging about the company’s upcoming $35,000 EV. The unveiling will take place at a VIP event at Tesla’s Fremont factory on June 2 and 3. Regarding performance, we now know via leaked internal company documents that the Model 3 will accelerate to 60 mph in a brisk 5.6 seconds—right in line with the 75-kWh version of the Model S.

Tesla announced this week that it plans to double its charging network by the end of 2017. It will add new locations in city centers while expanding existing highway sites so drivers don’t have to wait for access to a charger. The company said that it’s taking these steps to prepare for sales of the Model 3, its first mass-market car.

Tesla updated the price of its Model S and X today, dropping the cost of the 75-kWh Model S by $7,500. That version of the Model S, which offers 249 miles of range on a single charge, is now Tesla’s least expensive model. It starts at $69,500.

Tesla is now shipping 100D versions of its Model S and Model X vehicles. These vehicles with 100 kilowatt-hour battery packs are similar to the previous Performance versions, but with a slight reduction of power. The 100D (sans P) models now lead all electric vehicles for range. The EPA, as of today, lists the Tesla Model S 100D as providing 335 miles of driving range on a single charge. (The Model X 100D is rated to go 295 miles on a charge.)

Elon Musk, Tesla's chief executive, announced at a shareholder meeting last week that Model 3 owners will be required to pay to access the company’s Supercharger network. For the Model 3 to succeed in the long run, Tesla needs to slice off as much starting cost from the car as possible without compromising the brand’s luxury credentials.