U.S. buyers demonstrate consensus on electric vehicles

Electric vehicle sales are declining even in light of an overall increase in total U.S. vehicle sales. For about six of the last nine months, EVs sales have been lower than 2014 sales. In August, EV sales were below 2013 levels. For this past month of September the Tesla Model S failed to demonstrate any growth. Sales of the affordable Volt and Leaf were about half of last year's September volume.

This, despite massive price supports direct to the consumer in the form of tax breaks of up to $7,500 and rebates of up to $2,500 from state government. Those rebates are coupled with price supports behind the scenes in the form of “Zero Emissions Credits.” Just in direct dollars affordable EVs are being subsidized by the U.S taxpayer to the tune of about 30% to 50%.

With electric vehicles now making up well less than 1% of over overall U.S. sales, an interesting consensus is forming against the cars. More than 99% of vehicle buyers don’t think they are necessary or will work for them. Otherwise, they would buy them (or lease them). Green car sales, in general, are slow, but not nearly as slow as EV sales. In September, the outgoing generation 2015 Prius outsold 16,011 units, a 13% increase over 2014. The aging Prius outsold the entire EV market in the U.S. and sells at more than six-times the rate of the top EV. Impressive given that Toyota announced a new 2016 model is coming soon which increases fuel economy by 10% across the board.