EV Sales Make Progress

Electric-vehicle sales had a mixed first quarter in the U.S. but demonstrated headway in a market that has been slower to adopt the newer power train.

An Alliance for Automotive Innovation report shows EVs made up 9% of new light vehicle sales in the quarter, down from 10% quarter-over-quarter but up 9% year-over-year. EV delivery volume of more than 344,000 represented a 13% year-over-year jump.

EV market share rose in 37 states year-over-year, led by California, 25%, Washington, 20%, Washington, D.C., 20%, Colorado, 18%, and Hawaii, 16%.

Interestingly, light truck sales made up 84% of the EV market, according to the report.

The improvements could be built upon if charging infrastructure better met demand. The report says the number of public chargers rose 5% quarter-over-quarter while EVs in operation increased by 8%. Consumers consistently cite limited stations as a major reason for resisting adoption.

Federal tax credits for EV purchases applied to just 19% of EV models available for purchase in the quarter, according to the report, due to restrictions on materials sourced from countries considered to be “foreign entities of concern.”
 

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