2017 Prius Prime Plug-In Outselling Both Tesla Models and Chevy Bolt This Year

Through the first two months of this year, the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime Plug-In Hybrid Electric vehicle (PHEV) has outsold the Tesla Model S and also the Tesla Model X. This according to Inside EVs, who expends significant time and energy trying to divine the U.S. sales of Tesla vehicles, which Tesla Inc. hides from the public and its investors until forced to reveal the numbers by law in SEC filings.

Inside EVs pegs the Tesla Model S sales through the first two months of 2017 at 2,650 for the Model S. The failing Model X has never met sales expectations for Tesla since its late, and slow rollout. For the first two months of 2017, Tesla has sold just 1,550 units of the electric minivan/SUV. The Chevy Bolt is a new model for GM, but it has been on sale now for nearly as long as the Prius Prime, so any production challenges would apply to both cars. Chevy has sold 2,114 Bolts so far this year. Meanwhile, the numbers for the Prius Prime look very encouraging. Toyota has sold 2,728 units in the first two months of this year, putting it in second place overall among all electrified vehicles sold in America.

There are many reasons why the Prius Prime is so popular, and many of those reasons also apply to the number one selling EV in America, the Chevy Volt extended-range electric vehicle (EREV). First, the practical reasons that are hard to argue. Both can get most Americans to and from work using only electricity if they choose to use that energy source. Both also have ranges over 400 miles before needing to refuel, so they work great as everyday vehicles. Both are also Top Safety Pick Plus-rated vehicles. something no Tesla can boast. Both also qualify for HOV lane stickers in California and other states in which EVs are popular.

The next reason the two are doing so well may be something that Torque News predicted a while back. Some buyers may be waiting for the Tesla Mode 3 to finally arrive. The latest word is that Tesla may begin production in earnest on the Model 3 in September, which would put the car in the hands of some of those holding reservations by year's end. For those who want a premium electric vehicle with long range, but who don't need a huge sedan or a quirky minivan/SUV type of vehicle, the Model 3 is really the only thing coming of interest.

We'll keep logging the sales, but if the current trend continues, plug-ins look to outpace battery electric vehicles yet again, despite the mainstream media hype and advocacy media stories telling us all how Americans just can't wait to go fully electric.