Light Duty Electric Drive Vehicles Monthly Sales Updates

Currently available electric-drive vehicles (EDV) in the U.S market include hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and all electric vehicles (AEV). Plug-in Vehicles (PEV) include both PHEV and AEV. HEVs debuted in the U.S. market in December 1999 with 17 sales of the first-generation Honda Insight, while the first PHEV (Chevrolet Volt) and AEV (Nissan Leaf) most recently debuted in December 2010. Electric drive vehicles are offered in several car and SUV models, and a few pickup and van models.

Historical sales of HEV, PHEV, and AEV are compiled by Argonne’s Center for Transportation Research and reported to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technology Program Office each month. These sales are shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. Figure 1 shows monthly new PHEV and AEV sales by model. Figure 2 shows yearly new HEV sales by model. Figure 3 shows electric drive vehicles sales share of total light-duty vehicle (LDV) sales since 1999. Figure 4 shows HEV and PEV sales change with gasoline price..

Latest Monthly Sales Data

During April 2013, 42,804 HEVs (41,339 cars and 1,465 LTs) were sold, up 7.3% over the sales in April 2012. Toyota accounted for 64.5% share of total HEV sales in April 2013. Prius (Prius C, Prius V and Prius Liftback in total) accounted for 45.1% (19,290 vehicles) of total HEV sales. The HEV sales share of LDV (<= 10,000 lbs. GVW) sales was 3.3% in this month. Car HEVs captured a 6.2% share of car sales.

Total 7,138 plug-in vehicles (3,000 PHEVs and 4,138 AEVs) were sold in April 2013, up 99% over the sales in April 2012. These sales included 2,100 Tesla Model S (est.), 1,937 Nissan Leaf, 1,306 Chevrolet Volt, 599 Prius PHEV, 411 Ford C-Max Energi, 364 Ford Fusion Energi, 147 Ford Focus Electric, 127 Mitsubishi I, 70 RAV4 EV, 55 Honda Accord, and 22 Honda Fit EV. When plug-in vehicle sales are added to HEV sales, their share of LDV sales was 3.50%.

Figure 1: Monthly New PHEV and AEV Sales by Model

Figure 2: Yearly New HEV Sales by Model

Figure 3: Electric Drive Vehicle Share of New Vehicle Sales

Figure 4: Monthly New EDV Sales and Gasoline Price

Data Sources

Sales data are compiled from several sources at different points in time. Initially, the data were compiled from J.D. Power and associates’ sales reports, and Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) and HEV manufacturers’ information. Later, the data were supplied by Green Car Congress. Currently, the data are collected from Hybrid Market Dashboard. Civic hybrid sales are as reported by Honda in 2003 and 2004. Data from 2005 and later represent sales as reported by EDTA, Hybrid Dashboard, and Green Car Congress. The Escape, Highlander, RX 400h, Camry, and GS 450h hybrid sales represent registration information from EDTA through 2006. The 2007 Escape and GS450h sales data are from Green Car Congress. Accord hybrid sales data are from EDTA and Green Car Congress. The 2007 Vue hybrid sales data are from EDTA (January to May only), and later sales data are from Hybrid Dashboard and Green Car Congress. These numbers are by calendar year, not by model year as reported by the U.S. EPA in its “Light Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Fuel Economy Trends Report.” The HEV percent shares reported by U.S. EPA are for vehicles weighing <=8,500 lbs. while shares reported here are for vehicles weighing <=10,000 lbs. The Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center (AFDC) at the Department of Energy website also provides annual HEV sales data.

May 2013