2016 RAV4 Hybrid Has Outsold Every Electric Vehicle Model This Year
Despite a new update to the Nissan Leaf and an all-new Chevy Volt, the 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is outselling both so far in 2016. Combined. Yes, the RAV4 Hybrid is a more popular green vehicle than either of those affordable EVs. In fact, it is more popular than any EV.
With Toyota reporting sales this year of 7,484 units, the 2016 RAV4 Hybrid is outselling both the Tesla Model S (6,390) and also the Model X (2,400). The RAV4 Hybrid is also outselling the BMW i3 by about ten to one. If our math is correct, the RAV4 Hybrid has sold more units this year than the combined total of 18 EVs on this list Inside EVs maintains. The RAV4 Hybrid's surprisingly strong sales by comparison to today's EVs begs the question: "How much gasoline does an EV that doesn't sell save?"
Affordable EV's will catch on once a really good one comes to market. The Tesla Model 3 had about 300,000 reservations the last time we checked. That exciting new vehicle has very little in common with the 2016 RAV4 Hybrid, but two things do match up. The base price of $35K Tesla is promising the Model 3 will start at is the same as the price one pays for a fully-loaded RAV4 Hybrid. Both also have good range. In the case of the Model 3 estimates are that it will go about 215 miles between charging, and the RAV4 Hybrid has a range of about 488 miles between gas-ups.