Plug-in Cars Increase 100+% In 2013, After Increasing 100+% In 2012 & ~200% In 2011

Originally published on EV Obsession.

A new report by by Zentrums für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Württemberg (ZSW), which Green Car Congress somehow ran across, shows that the number of plug-in cars on the roads more than doubled from the end of 2012 to the end of 2013. That followed doubling of the number of plug-in cars on the road the year before as well.

Globally, at the end of 2010, there were approximately 25,000 battery-electric, plug-in hybrid electric, and extended-range electric vehicles registered. At the end of 2011, that had approximately tripled, becoming approximately 80,000. At the end of 2012, that rose to about 200,000. At the end of 2013, that more than doubled again to 405,000.

In terms of car companies, the clear leader is Nissan, which saw a particularly steep increase in sales in 2013. GM/Opel is a solid #2, while Toyota is a solid #3. Tesla and Ford are close there at #4 and #5.

Of course, Tesla sales have increased sharply as production of the Model S has gotten rolling. Demand is still higher than supply, but that’s also been the case for some other models. Ford also just began production of its popular Energi models at the end of 2012 and beginning of 2013.

There’s also a country-focused chart. The US, Japan, and China are clearly the biggest markets. Following them, you have France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Norway. Have a look:

Of course, per capita, Norway leads the pack.