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U.S. Demand for Electric Powertrains Continues to Fade
Combined U.S. sales of electric, hybrid and plug-in cars slumped to a four-year low in the first quarter of 2015, according to the Electric Drive Transportation Assn. in Washington, D.C.
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Combined U.S. sales of electric, hybrid and plug-in cars slumped to a four-year low in the first quarter of 2015, according to the Electric Drive Transportation Assn. in Washington, D.C.
Analysts attribute the decline to continuing consumer worries about the range of all-electrics, low gasoline prices and efficiency gains by conventionally powered vehicles. They also note a growing price gap between new and used electric and hybrid cars that hurts new-car volume.
EDTA says January-March demand for electrified powertrains peaked at 128,500 electrics, hybrids and plug-ins in 2013. But volume slipped 4% in 2014. Sales fell another 13% this year to 107,900 vehicles.
The trade group says electrified vehicles captured a record 3.8% of overall passenger car sales in the U.S. in 2013. Last year their share declined to 3.5% and slumped to 2.9% in the first quarter of 2015.
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