Electric vehicles account for less than 1% of the 250 million vehicles, SUVs, and light-duty trucks sold in the United States. Because only around 17 million new cars are being built each year, changing the vehicles from gas-powered to electric will be a long process, especially as far as the government is concerned.
While electric vehicles have gained popularity over the last decade, acceptance needs to be more consistent. Purchase incentives, such as tax credits or refunds, are criticized by some as mainly benefiting buyers who can afford the high cost of a new electric car. And approximately two-thirds of electric or plug-in hybrid car owners earn more than $100,000.
But all the base facts and problems aside, let’s look at things in-depth.
What Are The Best-Selling Electric Cars?
Tesla, the longest-running pure electric brand, tops electric car sales in the United States, with about 114,000 vehicles delivered in the first quarter of 2022. Tesla's broad Electric vehicle range, which includes two SUVs and two sedans, offers a wide range of pricing points and sizes, and its charging network is well-known. The Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X are a common sight nowadays, frequently outselling many established gasoline-powered cars.
Kia is second in electric vehicle sales in the US. With 8,450 vehicles delivered in the first quarter of 2022, demand for the electric vehicle has taken up, with the first units arriving in the hands of delighted consumers. The smaller, adaptable Kia Niro has also witnessed an increase in demand, and the release of a modified version earlier this year will help drive more sales.
Ford is third, with slightly over 7,400 electric vehicles delivered in the United States in the first quarter. The bulk of these vehicles was one model: the Ford Mustang Mach-E. The new electric Ford Lightning pickup truck recently reached the market, with a little over 50 delivered between the beginning of the year and the end of March. This figure could also increase since Ford has received over 200,000 Lightning orders. Ford's challenge will be obtaining enough components to meet the intense demand for its quick, capable, and powerful electric pickup.
Hyundai produced and delivered about 7,000 electric vehicles in the first quarter of 2022. It is more than twice the amount of electric vehicles delivered in the same period in 2021. Over 6,200 registrations were for the Hyundai Ioniq 5, followed by the Hyundai Kona electric compact.
Percentage Of US Car Sales
Only around 1% of all vehicles (2 500,000) in the United States were electric in 2019. In 2018, the number was around 328,118, showing a 75% year-over-year growth, demonstrating the shifting demand. Data also reveals that Californians are particularly interested in electric vehicles, with 153,442 vehicle purchases in 2018.
Electric and hybrid vehicle sales grew massively in 2020, with hybrids increasing by 76% and completely electric vehicles rising by 83%. Although this was a significant increase, just 3% of vehicle sales in 2021 were electric, with hybrids accounting for 5%. In 2022, electric car sales increased by 5% as multiple new electric models reached the market.
The price of the most famous electric vehicle brand in America is one element in the poor sales figures for electric cars. Tesla’s pricing clearly was an issue for most, and its price tag on new models confirms this. Many cannot afford to buy their vehicles, mainly because a large enough chunk of the EV buyers (10%) are between the ages of 25 and 34.
As electric vehicles become more popular, the price difference between them and conventional ones will narrow significantly. The increased number of charging and plug-in power stations has considerably aided electric vehicle growth. Because of faster charging and more efficient batteries, long-distance travel is becoming easier for owners.
As a result, if this electric car sales trend continues, Californians may expect to see 4 million electric vehicles on the road in years to come. However, California is one of many states that is encouraging the use of electric cars over traditional, fossil-fuel vehicles. There is also a significant increase in electric vehicle usage in New York, Washington, Florida, and Texas.
Summary
Because conventional vehicles last longer, roughly 16 years on average, transitioning the vehicle industry towards EVs is likely a gradual process. Meanwhile, electric cars haven’t found stable footing on the market and still lose to traditional gas-powered automobiles. Although there will likely be more and more EVs on the road each year, predicting how the consumer will behave proves difficult nonetheless.
You are now subscribed to the J.D. Power Cars Newsletter.
