Gas prices have stayed above $4 a gallon for a record stretch in 2026 as conflict in the Middle East disrupts oil flows and squeezes drivers. That kind of pain at the pump keeps attention on electric and self driving transport companies that do not rely on crude in the same way. This article walks through three US listed electric and autonomous vehicle stocks from our screener that may merit a closer look.
The three electric and autonomous vehicle stocks below are just a sample from a broader set, since the full screen surfaced 22 more companies with equally detailed stories that are not covered here. If you want to identify higher conviction ideas quickly, head straight into the Electric/ Autonomous Vehicle Stocks screener to filter and analyze the wider group.
Applied Aerospace & Defense (AADX)
Applied Aerospace & Defense plugs into the electric and autonomous vehicle theme through its Defense Aviation and Airborne Systems work, supplying hardware that can support unmanned aircraft and electrified propulsion, yet most activity still comes from a broad mix of space and C5ISR programs.
Applied Aerospace & Defense generates about US$576 million of revenue from a single Aerospace & Defense segment focused on integrated subsystems, and the stock carries a market value of roughly US$1.8b.
For investors following autonomous and electric platforms, Applied Aerospace & Defense offers exposure to the hardware behind those systems, with current debate centered on how its cost structure evolves as a newly public company.
"Although Applied Aerospace & Defense points to record revenue and adjusted EBITDA as evidence of scale, the Q2 2026 net loss of US$154 million that is attributed to IPO and related costs could signal that future equity-based compensation, higher public-company overhead and intangible amortization remain structurally higher than many models assume. This would pressure net income and earnings quality even if revenue continues to track current expectations."
One question for investors is what happens if an unseen pressure on future margins proves harder to address than current expectations assume.
If that margin question is front of mind, the full narrative for Applied Aerospace & Defense explains how Applied Aerospace & Defense could convert its platform into higher quality earnings over time.
EnerSys (ENS)
EnerSys links into the electric and autonomous vehicle theme through its Industrial Mobility Solutions arm, which supplies batteries for electric forklifts, material handling fleets and heavy trucks. The broader group sells stored energy systems and power solutions to industrial customers worldwide and carries a market value of about US$6.4b.
For the screener, EnerSys matters because it supplies the battery and power hardware that keeps electric industrial fleets and heavy vehicles moving. It occupies a practical corner of the EV supply chain that is often overlooked when most attention goes to passenger cars.
"Ongoing growth in AI driven data center loads and concerns about grid reliability are supporting increased adoption of EnerSys backup and energy storage systems, which can add to revenue and support earnings as more of the installed base enters replacement cycles."
What really changes the story is how one unresolved swing factor could reshape where future profits actually come from inside EnerSys.
That swing factor is the real hinge, and the full narrative for EnerSys shows how EnerSys earnings could decouple from headline demand as backup power and replacements accelerate.
Caterpillar (CAT)
Caterpillar ties into the electric and autonomous vehicle theme through its autonomous mining trucks, fleet management software and electric drive heavy equipment, while still drawing most of its money from a broad Machinery, Power & Energy portfolio that produced about US$77.2b in segment revenue. Financial Products added roughly US$4.4b, and the stock carries a market value near US$355.2b.
Caterpillar matters here because its autonomous haulage systems, electrified drivetrains and mining software sit at the intersection of heavy machinery, EV and self-driving technology. However, the investment case still depends on how its much larger power and equipment operations translate demand into durable earnings.
"Rapid growth in Power & Energy, including 72% sales to users growth in power generation for data center applications and customer orders for large engines and turbines extending out to 2029 and 2030, indicates a long runway of AI driven power projects that can add to revenue and support operating margins as new capacity is utilized."
The real test comes if one cost burden tied to this build out proves more significant than current expectations and squeezes margins.
If that cost squeeze is what you are weighing, the full narrative for Caterpillar describes how Caterpillar's AI driven power projects and autonomous fleets could still improve the quality of its earnings.
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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
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