EVs, PHEVs Faring Better Than Hybrids In Fourth-Year Sales Comparison

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Though it may appear EVs and PHEVs aren’t flying out of showrooms in comparison to Toyota Camrys and Ford F-150s, IHS Automotive says that in comparison to hybrids, the electrified offerings are faring better in their fourth year of sales.

Autoblog Green reports the research group found that in 2013, cumulative sales of the Nissan Leaf reached 100,000, while those of the Chevrolet Volt hit 70,000 in the same four-year period. Meanwhile, the first-generation Toyota Prius only managed 52,000 after four years of accumulated sales. Unlike the Prius when it first arrived, though, EVs and PHEVs have had help from federal and state tax credits, inflating sales more than where they would have been otherwise.

That said, IHS notes the market is still in the early stages of growth, with most EV/PHEV owners still in possession of their first such vehicles. Analyst Ben Scott, however, states 2014 will be the year PHEVs pull ahead of their fully electric siblings thanks to their gasoline-powered range extenders. Scott added that by 2020, the ratio between the two approaches to automotive electrification will be 55:45 in favor of the PHEV.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • KixStart KixStart on May 21, 2014

    If this was 2001, I'd be impressed that PHEVs are beating HEVs. As it is, several things distort the comparison beyond usefulness: - In 2000, nobody knew what a gas-electric drivetrain was. - The HEVs got a nearly negligible tax credit. - Gas prices were different. - Nissan, GM and everybody else had many years to study the gas-electric market and see what works (Prius G2) and what doesn't (Prius G1, Insight 1). Toyota and Honda had no such advantage when they developed the pioneering.

    • APaGttH APaGttH on May 21, 2014

      I generally agree but I do have one nit... ...- Gas prices were different... That is true, but fuel economy was different 12 to 15 years ago also. If you had a fullsize truck or SUV and you got 15 MPG you were doing good, real good. Price has gone up, while the value prop of a non-gasoline powered vehicle has gotten tougher. A number of gas and diesel powered vehicles are approaching hybrid assisted numbers now. Hybrids and electrics continue to shine in urban driving, but a number of models now equal or come darn close on the highway, and the gas is closing. The other thing is sales patterns clearly show, the average consumer has accepted $3.50 +/- a gallon gasoline in the United States. Finally, the United States enjoys some of the lowest prices for gas in the world now (minus Banana republics and third world Hell holes)

  • PonchoIndian PonchoIndian on May 21, 2014

    " Toyota and Honda had no such advantage when they developed the pioneering." Toyota and Honda didn't come up with HEV's on their own...for God's sake take them off the pedestal you have them on. Heck, Toyota didn't even develop the technology themselves, they stole it.

  • HiFlite999 HiFlite999 on May 21, 2014

    Last numbers I saw had the Volt running a grand total of 10% fleet sales. The ranters against electrified cars remind me of their fathers' rants against seat belts, crash requirements, emission controls, air bags and the other sort of "unmanly" changes to modern life. The same thinking gets one into patriotizing 14 mpg trucks hauling groceries (and ammo) home from Walmart. Can't they understand that a portion of every gallon goes to fund Islamic extremists? Or that American troops die to defend the "right" to guzzle fuel? Apparently not. Whatever. My last Volt fillup was March 7th and there's still some gas left. I did make a concession to a certain category of angry 4x4 drivers though by removing the "VOLT" letters on the back hatch. It seems that they don't know what one is unless it's labelled. Or it could be the Browning (firearms) emblem on the back in its place. They pretty much leave me alone now.

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    • Dr. Kenneth Noisewater Dr. Kenneth Noisewater on May 22, 2014

      LOL, my NRA Life Member sticker is on the inside of the below-spoiler window, not easily visible unless you tailgate. Which are the sort of people I want to see it.

  • Brandloyalty Brandloyalty on May 22, 2014

    Speaking of subsidies, most people are quite ignorant about the degree to which the oil industry is subsidized. These subsidies take more diligence to notice than taxes on gas. For example: http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2014/05/15/Canadas-34-Billion-Fossil-Fuel-Subsidies/ If anyone wants to avoid the cost penalty of a hybrid, they can either buy a used hybrid or an MKZ. But, many people are happy to spend extra money to get a hybrid to use less gas, not to save money, but to lower their carbon footprint. Just like some spend extra money for larger engines or feature packages because that's where their interests lie. The twisted thing is that the more sensible choice takes so much flak in the automobile chattersphere.

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