Sales statistics for the USA are shown on the Hybrid Vehicle Sales 2001-2011 chart. The chart shows stats for 2011 and for the 10 years 2001 to 2011. From 2001 to 2011 hybrid sales grew slowly. This skews the total sales percent on the chart to 1.19%.
The HEVsales percent of total sales since 2007 is closer to 3.5%. However, the current trend is declining sales. As on the chart, 2011 HEV sales were just 2.17% of total light vehicle sales.
Prius leads the pack with about half of all HEV sales over the past 10 years. If you include
the Camry and Highlander models, Toyota has captured a whopping 64% of the HEV
market in the US. The closest US seller would be Ford with about 8% of the market.
Ford is at this time ramping up entire EV their program.
Toyota Prius sales are 35% of total US hybrid sales over the past 5 years
HEV Battery Market
Correspondingly, the market for hybrid vehicle Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery packs has been rapidly growing. In 2008, the market was about $600 million. That number is expected to expand to $2.5 billion in the next few years.
Lithium-Ion battery chemistry is beginning to to be used for hybrid battery packs. Eventually, Li-Ion will replace Ni-MH. To put the market in perspective, the chart
below shows the projected growth of the Li-Ion market for all Electric Vehicles
to the year 2020.
Hybrids are up to 38% more efficient than similar conventional vehicles. In terms of sales, hybrid sales still make up less than 4 percent of the market.
This may be changing, particularly in big cities. For example, some hybrid car statistics say that New York will see an increase of 70,000 electric vehicles by 2015. Many of these would be plug-in hybrids. These types of positive growth projections have been consistent since 2006.
The increase in hybrids will also increase the market for hybrid-related components. For example, hybrid vehicles use up to three times the amount of electronics found in traditional cars.
Battery manufacturers are now ramping up to supply battery packs for the growing market. Most hybrids now use Ni-MH battery packs. That is changing as higher energy Li-Ion batteries become the basic battery pack.
The Reason for Hybrid Growth
There are two main reasons for the upward sales swing of the hybrid vehicle: gasoline savings, and corresponding reduced C02 output. People can save at the pump, which also translates into reduced carbon emissions. It is a win- win situation.
As you can see from the chart on the next page, hybrids get up to 38% fuel savings compared to their gasoline counterparts. The Toyota Prius has no exact gas powered equivalent, and is compared to the two closest Toyota models: the Yaris and the Corolla.
From a resource point of view, the fuel reduction for 2 million Prius cars is equal to around to 8,500,000 barrels of oil per year. To put the savings in perspective, the USA uses around 9,000,000 barrels of gasoline per day.
From an air quality point of view, the reduced C02 from 2 million Prius vehicles adds up to about 4,000,000 Tons per year. That is a good thing.
These hybrid car statistics do not show economics. Check here to for a review of hybrid car economics.
Here are interesting hybrid car statistics that outline the market, can help you make a decision on a hybrid. This is page 2 of a 5-page series. For a complete review of current performance and cost statistics go to the comparison of hybrid cars page.
From hybrid sales statistics in the USA, hybrid sales peaked in 2008. Since 2007, some 2,157,723 HEVs have been sold in the USA of total light vehicle sales of 61,379,000 units. This puts Hybrid sales at 3.5% of total sales over the past 5 years.
Interestingly, the Toyota Prius has sold 756,868 cars in the past 5 years or some 35% of total US hybrid sales.
