Average sales is now at roughly 7,300 per model per year
Here is a quick look at the number of plug-in electric car models offered on the market in the U.S. in particular years since December 2010. Only mainstream models are included.
According to our data, by the end of November 2018, each year the choice is wider (including retirement of some models), although we must honestly admit that nationwide coverage is not necessarily the case for many models, so the graphic should be considered as the best case scenario for California and maybe a handful of other states.
Number of mainstream plug-in car models on the market in the U.S.
In December 2010, only two models were available – Chevrolet Volt and Nissan LEAF, joined by Mitsubishi i-MiEV in 2011.
Since then, the market expanded to over 40 models, including many compliance or low-volume cars, that were since discontinued.
Average annual sales of plug-in cars (per model) in U.S.
Because many manufacturers put on the market compliance plug-ins to get some credits, the average sales result per model per year didn’t change much and even dipped in 2015 to just 4,300. Selling just several thousands cars per year is not a business, at least if you are not in the high-end segment.
Thankfully, in 2018 the average increased a lot thanks to the Tesla Model 3 (average of over 82,000 per year during its 17 months on the market and 114,532 in the past 11 months). Hopefully, it will be an example for other manufacturers to sell many EVs and profit on the volume.
* the results are low partially because some new models entered the market during the year, while some other were discontinued before the end of the year.
Number of mainstream plug-in car models on the market in U.S. – details
2010 – 2 (2 new)
- Chevrolet Volt
- Nissan LEAF
2011 – 3 (1 new)
- Mitsubishi i-MiEV
2012 – 9 (6 new)
- Ford C-Max Energi
- Ford Focus Electric
- Honda Fit EV
- Tesla Model S
- Toyota Prius PHV
- Toyota RAV4 EV
2013 – 16 (7 new)
- Cadillac ELR
- Chevrolet Spark EV
- Fiat 500e
- Ford Fusion Energi
- Honda Accord PHV
- Porsche Panamera PHEV
- smart ED
2014 – 22 (6 new, 2 retired during the year)
- BMW i3
- BMW i8
- Mercedes B-Class ED
- Porsche Cayenne PHEV
- Kia Soul EV
- Volkswagen e-Golf
Honda Fit EV, Toyota RAV4 EV retire.
2015 – 27 (7 new, 2 retired during the year)
- Audi A3 Sportback e-tron
- BMW X5 xDrive40e
- Hyundai Sonata PHEV
- Mercedes S550e
- Porsche 918 Spyder
- Tesla Model X
- Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV
Honda Accord PHV, Porsche 918 Spyder retire.
2016 – 31 (6 new, 1 retired during the year)
- BMW 330e
- BMW 740e
- Chevrolet Bolt EV
- Mercedes C350e
- Mercedes GLE 550e
- Toyota Prius Prime
Toyota Prius PHV retire.
2017 – 42 (12 new, 3 retired during the year)
- BMW 530e
- Cadillac CT6 PHV
- Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
- Honda Clarity Electric
- Honda Clarity PHEV
- Hyundai IONIQ Electric
- Kia Optima PHV
- MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4
- Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
- Tesla Model 3
- Volvo XC60 T8 PHEV
- Volvo S90 T8 PHEV
Cadillac ELR, Chevrolet Spark EV, Mitsubishi i-MiEV retire.
2018 (November) – 43 (4 new, ? retire)
- Mercedes GLC 350e
- Hyundai IONIQ PHEV
- Jaguar I-PACE
- Kia Niro PHEV
Source: Read Full Article