The sale of PHEVs and EVs remained a mixed bag in the second quarter of 2015.
|
US Sales of Electric Vehicles, Including HEVs 2015 |
||||
| Month | Hybrid (HEVs) | PHEVs & Extended Range Vehicles | Battery (BEVs) | Total PHEV& EV |
| January |
25,312 |
2,113 |
3,977 |
6,090 |
| February |
27,038 |
2,589 |
4,435 |
7,024 |
| March |
33,655 |
3,020 |
5,715 |
8,735 |
| Total 1Q |
86,005 |
7,722 |
14,127 |
21,849 |
| Total 1Q 2014 |
101,436 |
11,249 |
10,873 |
22,122 |
| % change |
(15.21%) |
(31.35%) |
29.93% |
(1.23%) |
| April |
31,694 |
3,646 |
6,037 |
9,683 |
| May |
40,257 |
4,416 |
7,057 |
11,473 |
| June |
32,330 |
3,409 |
6,975 |
10,384 |
| Total 2Q 2015 |
104,281 |
11,471 |
20,069 |
31,540 |
| Total 2Q 2014 |
130,882 |
17,880 |
14,971 |
32,851 |
| % change |
(20.32%) |
(35.84%) |
34.05% |
(3.99%) |
| 6 MOS 2015 |
190,286 |
19,193 |
34,196 |
|
| 6 MOS 2014 |
232,318 |
29,129 |
25,844 |
|
| % change |
(18.09%) |
(34.11%) |
32.32% |
|
The drop in PHEV sales has persisted so far in 2015, with PHEV sales 34% below 2014.
What may be surprising is the drop in HEV sales of 18% year to date, compared with 2014, with sales dropping more in the second quarter than in the first. This may reflect lower gasoline prices, which would prove once again that Americans prefer larger vehicles.
BEV sales have increased 32.32% year to date, compared with 2014.
Percentage wise, the increase in BEV sales is substantial, but the total volume is insignificant when compared with the sale of all light vehicles, with BEVs still below 1/2 of 1% of total light vehicle sales.
As mentioned in previous articles, some commentators attempt to disguise the failure of PHEVs and BEVs by combining HEVs, EVs and PHEVs when describing electric vehicles. (HEVs are hybrids, similar to the Prius, that can’t use battery power for more than a short distance, and do not recharge their batteries from the grid.)
This distorts the actual market penetration of cars that rely on battery power, either exclusively, such as the Tesla, an EV, or PHEVs for commuting distances, such as the GM Volt.
It’s clear, at this point, that EVs are for the rich and famous, and not for ordinary drivers.
It’s still very much a question whether Tesla, or any other manufacturer, can produce a car for under $35,000 that will appeal to the average driver.
Both GM, with the Bolt, and Tesla with its model 3, indicate they will begin selling EVs at around $35,000 later this year.
It will be interesting to see whether they can achieve significant sales.
Thus far, a great deal of taxpayer money has been spent on subsidies for EVs and PHEVs.
Thus far, the ordinary taxpayer hasn’t reaped any benefits.
Note: Data from Electric Drive Transportation Association.
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