My understanding was that Chinese consumers (generally) prefer cars with much longer wheel-bases than American consumers. While it is true that SUVs popular in the US may be taller than a long-wheel-base sedan, I am not sure the GVWR is that different between the two. Besides, the batteries are the biggest source of weight in an electric car by a lot,

What I can see as being a difference maker is the need (real or imagined) of a lot of American consumers to tow something. Towing _does_ require a lot more energy and thus batteries.