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7 Models 81% Of Electrified Car Sales In US (2016 US Electrified Car Sales Report), CleanTechnica

7 Models = 81% Of Electrified Car Sales In US (2016 US Electrified Car Sales Report)

US electrified car sales had another record month in December and also again reached a record market share in the country. Fully electrified and plug-in hybrid electrified car sales reached Nineteen,133 in December (and 144,455 sales for two thousand sixteen as a entire), which put EV market share among all passenger cars at a record 1.13% (and 0.82% for two thousand sixteen as a entire)*.

The EV market as a entire witnessed 30% growth for two thousand sixteen (compared to 2016) and 51% for December two thousand sixteen (compared to December 2015), which would be fine for normal cars but may seem a bit powerless on the surface for those of us who know how swift EV sales should and could be growing. But reminisce that two thousand sixteen was more of a prep year than a breakout year. This year (2017) and next (2018) are likely to be the big breakout years, thanks to the real arrival of the Chevy Bolt and the expected arrival of the Tesla Model Trio.

Also worth noting, as Loren McDonald highlighted the other day, is that EV model choice is still enormously limited. “As of January 2017, there are thirty PHEV and BEVs on the market in the United States out of more than three hundred car models.” Furthermore, only a handful of those models are available outside of a few “compliance car” or “ZEV mandate” states. Don’t live in California or Oregon? Well, then, good luck getting a test drive with even ten of these EV models — very unlikely. We couldn’t even get a test drive for the Ford Fusion Energi or Ford C-Max Energi (two of the most widely available EV models) in Florida, which is actually one of the top-selling EV states. The dealer said California was getting them all.

As it turns out, a handful of models predominated US electrical car sales:

69% of EV sales in December 2016.

Five models accounted for

64% of EV sales in two thousand sixteen as a entire.

7 models accounted for

81% of EV sales in December two thousand sixteen and in two thousand sixteen as a entire (however, there was a switch in one of those models for December vs two thousand sixteen as a entire).

Next time someone tells you there just isn’t market request for electrical cars, perhaps point to the fact that only a handful of models are available nationwide — none in some of the most popular car classes — and there are

400,000 reservations (globally) for the Tesla Model Three.

But enough with the broader context — let’s hop into the individual model and brand numbers.

The superior models in two thousand sixteen and their EV market shares, as you can see in the chart at the top or the tables at the bottom, were:

Things are switching, as the Toyota Prius Prime has quickly risen into the top ranks and the Chevy Bolt is sure to occupy a high spot there once production and deliveries ramp up. Here were the top seven models in December:

No, it’s not surprising at all that these are basically the electrical car models available “nationwide” (I think the other BMW models and the Porsche models are as well, but they’re rather niche models due to their high price tags … not that high prices keep Tesla’s models to such a niche level).

Here are some more specific model highlights:

Chevy Bolt had a decent opening month, especially considering that Bolts weren’t truly getting delivered till the very end of December.

Chevy Volt had a banner month in December with a record-crushing number of sales. Word is surely getting out there that this is an attractive car that is hard to hammer (can you hammer it?) in its market segment.

Tesla Model S almost undoubtedly crushed all competitors in the large luxury/premium car market. (Check out our long-term review of the Model S for more holder details.)

Tesla Model X has been climbing in sales and market share as well as early production kinks have been worked out and word has gotten around that the Model X is amazing.

Nissan LEAF has kept up sales (despite the surging competition) via attractive group buys or deep discounts. It is still a top model in its class — electrical or otherwise. (Check out our long-term review of the LEAF — with no home charging — for more details on this model.)

Toyota Prius Prime has had a fairly strong arrival and I expect that to proceed and even grow. Toyota is still loving the benefits of first-mover advantage for its leadership on conventional hybrids, and the Prius Prime is fairly competitively priced and attractive for people not fairly ready for a fully electrified car like the LEAF or Bolt.

Ford Energi models and BMW i3 proceed pushing through at a moderate rhythm — due largely to broader availability than most other compliance car offerings. However, the i3 seems to have been hit a bit firmer by the Bolt and Model three (and perhaps expectations for updated versions of the i3) than the Energi models were hit by the fresh Volt and Prius Prime.

Sales of fully electrical cars (because of Tesla) proceed to inch out sales of plug-in hybrids (PHEV), but it’s a pretty even split. The Volt with its fifty three miles of electrified range does carry the PHEV market, of course. I think the overall split makes the case that there are still a lot of consumers who want an EV that also has a gas backup for those uncommon (or in some cases perhaps frequent) cases when they need to drive long distances in a single day. However, I’m nosey to see what happens to that market by the time the Tesla Model three is in total production.

Check out the tables below for more details and let us know your thoughts!

*As before, it’s worth noting that Tesla’s figures are estimates, but it’s also worth noting that these estimates are based on various statements from Tesla (mostly Elon Musk) and I didn’t have to switch my October–December estimates at all after watching Tesla’s official figures for the quarter (published a few days ago).

Also note that a handful of EV models are not included since their manufacturers don’t report details sales figures and they are compliance cars.

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