According to the U.S. Department of Energy, Americans bought 53% more hybrid cars in 2023 compared to 2022.
The department’s Argonne National Laboratory monitors car sales based on their energy source. Their latest data confirms what other sources are saying: despite all the buzz about electric vehicles, Americans are heavily investing in hybrids.
Hybrid car sales were not consistently rising over the past decade. They declined from 2014 to 2020 before sharply increasing again.
| Year | Number of hybrid cars sold |
| 2023 | 1,175,597 |
| 2022 | 766,412 |
| 2021 | 799,046 |
| 2020 | 455,067 |
| 2019 | 399,444 |
| 2018 | 338,149 |
| 2017 | 370,680 |
| 2016 | 346,949 |
| 2015 | 384,400 |
| 2014 | 452,172 |
The number could even qualify as an undercount. The laboratory’s data excludes plug-in hybrid vehicles.
The surge of hybrid sales has some automakers scrambling. General Motors GM, -1.79% has announced plans to reintroduce plug-in hybrids to its lineup by 2027. Mazda MZDAY, +1.41% announced plans to hybridize two of its more popular models recently.
Automakers have been heavily promoting electric cars, but Americans might be hesitant due to a lack of charging stations, opting for hybrids instead.However, this doesn’t mean the end for electric cars. Automakers may have pushed them faster than the market was ready for.A recent survey by Cox Automotive, Kelley Blue Book’s parent company, shows that most people skeptical about EVs expect to consider buying one by the early 2030s. This aligns with new federal and state emissions rules, suggesting that most Americans will likely switch to electric cars in the next decade.But for now, hybrids seem to be a more practical choice for many.
Also see : Overnight drops in gasoline demand due to inflation, electric vehicles, and better fuel efficiency
