2017 Toyota Prius Prime Outsells Tesla Models, Chevy Bolt, Leaf, i3, Other EVs

After just a few short months on the market, and while still in its production ramp-up, the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime has outsold all but one EV in the U.S. The Prius Prime outsold the Tesla Model S, Tesla Model X, Chevy Bolt, BMW i3, Nissan Leaf, and many of the lesser known EVs to take the number two sales position behind the Chevy Volt.

With U.S. sales of 1,366 units, the Prius Prime topped the dismal sales of Tesla, Inc.' vehicles, neither of which could pass 1,000 unit in January according to Inside EVs. The Bolt, available in just California and Oregon was a hot seller in those two key states and we predict a shootout for the top three slots between the Bolt, Volt, and Prime for many of the months in 2017.

The Prius Prime Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is one of the most efficient of all of the EV models in the world, with an EPA-estimated 133 MPGe. Prius Prime's 25-mile range exceeds electric vehicle's advocates estimate of the average daily miles a U.S. consumer drives in a given day. Most important for the California buyers, the Prius Prime does qualify for a California HOV lane pass.

Unlike the Tesla Model S, BMW i3, and Nissan Leaf, the Prius Prime is also a Top Safety Pick Plus-rated vehicle for safety by IIHS.