5 Models = 73% Of US Electric Car Sales

This article is simultaneously being published on EV Obsession and on our Electric Car Sales page.

US electric car sales climbed to 0.87% of the US car market in September. Yes, we still have a long ways to go.

The general story is that the US electric car market is still dominated by Tesla, a couple of plug-in hybrid models (the Chevy Volt and Ford Fusion Energi), and the Nissan LEAF (which keeps hanging in there despite the growing and coming competition).

Here are some specific highlights from September sales numbers:

• With estimates for Tesla models (based on previous statements and guidance from Tesla), the 3 top models (Tesla Model S, Chevy Volt, and Tesla Model X) are approximately equal at ~2,000 sales each (18%, 16%, and 16% market share, respectively).
• The Ford Fusion Energi continues to see strong sales, gobbling up 13% of the market in September.
• The Nissan LEAF is hanging in there with 10% market share.
• These top 5 models accounted for 73% of US EV sales in September.
• Interestingly, in a rare circumstance, the top 5 models last month are also the top 5 models for the year through September.
• A handful of other models have moderate sales:
  Ford C-Max Energi (5%)
  Volkswagen e-Golf (4%)
  BMW X5 xDrive40e (4%)
  BMW i3 (3%)
• 57% of EV sales were for pure EVs.
• 43% of EV sales were for PHEVs.
• Pure EV sales are up 3% in 2016 (through September).
• Pure EV sales were up 8% in September.
• Plug-in hybrid electric car sales are up 50% in 2016 (through September).
• Plug-in hybrid electric car sales were up 23% in September.

Sales are up, but expect them to jump quickly when the Chevy Bolt, the improved BMW i3, and other new and improved models hit the market, and then even much more so in the coming years as Tesla Model 3 production begins and then ramps up.

Any more thoughts on September and YTD sales?