Electrified Cars Forecasted to Grow in US But Not Pure EVs

Forecasted electrified car sales, meaning all types of hybrids and EVs, are forecasted to grow 40% annually by 2020, which will be roughly 3.8 million electrified cars a year worldwide, according to Pike Research. However, sales of pure EVs are not expected to increase much past their 0.3% of the US car market share. For comparison, Pike Research estimates that US total car sales will increase by 2% by 2020. 

"Sales of EVs have not lived up to automakers' expectations and politicians' proclamations, but the market is expanding steadily as fuel prices remain high and consumers increasingly seek alternatives to internal combustion engines," said study author Dave Hurst. 

Most of the growth is expected to come from plug-in hybrids, which combine most of the fuel economy benefits of a pure EV with none of the range anxiety. These vehicles are still relatively new to the market, but FordFordUnited Kingdom, 1909 > present33 models
3718 photos
5 videos
will introduce plug-in versions of the new FusionFord Fusion Gen.2United States of America, 2012 > present30 versions
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and C-MaxFord C-Max EnergiUnited Kingdom, 2012 > present4 photos
under the Energi branding in the coming weeks. Until now, the major plug-in hybrids on the market have been the Prius Plug-InToyota Prius Plug-in HybridJapan, 2011 > present2 photos
and Chevrolet VoltChevrolet VoltUnited States of America, 2011 > present3 photos
. 

Non-plug-in hybrids are expected to see a 6% raise in sales. 

Hybrids have become the major alternative fuel vehicles in the North America and Japan. Now, the automakers from those countries want to make the acceptable in Europe and China. In Europe, the pricing has been too high to garner buyers, and China's high car tariffs mean that hybrids will have to be built there to be affordable. 

Source: New York Times