More Tesla Model 3 Sales in 2018 than all Plug-in Hybrids Combined (USA)
Cars
Published on January 13, 2019 |
by Zachary Shahan
13. January 2019 by Zachary Shahan
Having followed up my report on full electric car sales, I was going to write a report highlighting this year's annual growth plug-in hybrid case in the United States last year.
Based on sales data for 11 plug-in hybrids that are either publicly published or shared with CleanTechnica directly, the segment saw 31% growth in 2018 compared to 2017.
BMW's plug-in hybrid models had 28% sales growth and Toyota Prius Prime grew by 33%. The other plug-in hybrid models I can track, either had a falling sales or were new on the market in 2018. In other words, there is no tonnage to write home about in this segment.
Then I noticed a total of 2018 sales of these 11 plug-in hybrids – 95,909. It is far lower than the nearly 140,000 Tesla Model 3 sales in the US in 2018. Even if you add another 20,000-30,000 sale for plug-in hybrids that I do not have sales figures to, Tesla Model 3 wins easily – despite for its challenging journey through production hell in 2017 and 2018.
Understand me not – selling nearly 30,000 Toyota Prius Primes, nearly 20,000 BMW plug-in hybrids, nearly 20,000 Honda Clarity PHEVs, and nearly 20 000 Chevy Volts are much better than if these customers had bought pure gas mobiles. Although Tesla, as far as the net effect of reducing toxic pollution, is clearly surpassing most other auto brands combined in the United States. #ThanksTesla
The question that has been discussed for years is what Plug-in hybrids have on the market. Even their magnificent followers usually recognize that they are stepping stones to full electric cars, and 100,000+ of them a year seem to serve that role.
In 2019, we now have a $ 44,000 full electric car on the market that can comfortably go on a road trip and can be packed with lots of shit. (It is of course Tesla Model 3.) It's a healthy part of the change over any of these cars (Chevy Volt, which goes out of production this year, costs $ 33,520, Prius Prime $ 27,300 and Clarity PHEV $ 33,400). But when the model 3 price is cut to $ 35,000 – well, when the standard 3 series is available, it will be difficult to justify buying one of these models, especially if you are expecting expected gasoline savings and lower long-term maintenance costs.
Some people prefer to be followers of course. Even with hundreds of thousands of Tesla vehicles on the road, it's a young, new company and not that many consumers are well acquainted with it or the offers. In addition, there are many buyers who feel more comfortable with existing brands or just prefer to interfere. For those who aren't ready for a Tesla, they still have a little longer to wait before they can get an entire electric car with a superfast or ultra-fast charging network. I have long argued that you do not really need to go electric (especially if the electric car is not the only car in the family or you do not often drive long distances) and we are living with a 2 year old + A 4 year old and just an electric car with a moderate selection, but people who aren't ready to buy a Tesla in general won't be inclined to take the adventurous step. So in the coming years, these plug-in hybrids are still a useful stepping stone for this population of buyers.
There are also many buyers out there who could not tell the difference between a fully electric Tesla and an electrified conventional hybrid, such as the typical Toyota Prius. However, these buyers are usually now comfortable with the idea of a hybrid – it is a vehicle that has good fuel economy due to some kind of electrical magic under the hood. Such buyers can follow a typical pattern to enter a car dealer when they want a new car – every few years or so. With battery costs that get rid of and plug hybrids are believed to be more competitive, it can be easy (and useful) to sell such buyers a plug-in hybrid with a body style they like without much effort. Just be aware of the high fuel economy and federal tax credit, ignore everything else, and make the sale.
Of course, I think it would be better if all the car manufacturers had a Tesla model 3 by themselves, but since they aren't possible, perhaps more plug-in customer choices are ideal. Hyundai and Kia play this game – offering compelling full electric and plug-hybrid versions of Kona, Niro and Ioniq. Although the companies certainly could do so with several models, including their most popular vehicles.
How does plug-in hybrid sales come out in 2019 in the US? Will they grow again 30%? Maybe 70% Maybe just 1%?
About the Author
Zachary Shahan Zach is attempting to help society to help itself (and other species). He spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as his director and editor in chief. He is also the president of Important Media and the director / founder of EV Obsession and Solar Love . Zach is recognized globally as an electric car, solar energy and energy storage expert. He has presented cleantech at conferences in India, the UAE, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, the United States and Canada.
Zach has long-term investments in TSLA, FSLR, SPWR, SEDG, and ABB. After several years of sun and EV, he simply has great faith in these companies and feels they are good cleantech companies to invest in. But he does not offer any professional investment advice and will not be responsible for losing money, so hope for conclusions.
