Sales of hybrid models in the United States set a new record in 2021

According to foreign media reports, although the sales of pure electric vehicles will always grab the headlines, industry data shows that the sales of gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles in the US market in 2021 have also quietly set a new record.

(Image source: Toyota)

While automakers such as Tesla and Ford are pushing hard for electric vehicles, Asian automakers are also expanding their hybrid lineups, as many customers are still reluctant to buy electric vehicles because of higher prices, limited mileage or lack of charging stations.

According to Wards Intelligence, sales of hybrid vehicles in the U.S. surged 76 percent last year to 801,550 units, or 5 percent of total U.S. light vehicle sales. Sales of electric vehicles also surged 83 percent to 434,879, with a market share of 3 percent.

Toyota's sales of hybrid vehicles in the U.S. set a new record in 2021, helping the company surpass GM to become the highest-selling automaker in the U.S. last year. Toyota said its combined sales of hybrids, electric vehicles and fuel cells rose 73 percent to 583,697 units, most of which came from hybrid vehicles.

Brett Smith, technical director at the Automotive Research Center, said: "The hybrid model offers an intriguing combination of fuel economy performance, and it doesn't have some of the major drawbacks that exist in electric vehicles. "Pure electric vehicles can only rely on electricity and require charging infrastructure, while hybrid vehicles combine traditional internal combustion engines and power systems. Gardner said: "It is only a matter of time before the popularity of pure electric vehicles is a matter of time, and it will take a certain amount of time for consumers to fully accept pure electric vehicles. ”

Honda was the second-largest sales of hybrid models in the U.S. market last year, with hybrid sales up 67 percent last year to 107,060 units. Dave Gardner, executive vice president of Honda, said: "We expect to significantly increase sales of hybrid CR-V and Accord in the coming years. At the same time, we will also prepare for pure electric vehicles. "Honda plans to release its first all-electric vehicle on the U.S. market in 2024.

Jose Munoz, Hyundai's global chief operating officer, said the company sees hybrids and plug-in hybrids as its "boosters" and that their transition offerings will help accelerate the adoption of pure electric vehicles. "Some of our competitors jumped straight into the pure electric car space," he said. But we found that there are still many consumers who are hesitant to buy pure electric vehicles. ”