How Many Electric Cars Are There in The U.S. In 2024?

How many electric cars in the U.S. were sold in previous years and how many are expected to be sold in the future? This article will review critical statistics regarding electric vehicle sales, global usage, and which varieties are most popular.

Electric Vehicle Sales

Electric vehicle sales have achieved a record-breaking year, despite geopolitical uncertainty, disruptions to supply chains for traditional cars, and high energy costs.

• $10 million: Overall sales for electric vehicles exceeded $10 million in 2022.
• 14%: The share of electric vehicles compared to traditional vehicles increased from 4% in 2020 to 14% by the end of 2022.
• 2.3 million: Over 2.3 million electric vehicles were sold in the first quarter of 2023 alone.
• 25%: The number of electric vehicles sold in the first quarter of 2023 represented a 25% increase over the previous year.
• 35%: Total electric vehicle purchases are expected to increase 35% in 2024.
• 18%: Estimates state that electric vehicle purchases will account for 18% of total car sales by the end of 2023.

Source: IEA Global EV Outlook 2023

Electric Vehicles on the Road

Electric vehicles have become increasingly popular over the last several years. Three models have risen in popularity, the battery electric vehicles, the plug-in hybrid models, and the hybrid models.

• 2,531,206: There are 2,531,206 electric vehicles on the road in the United States, including BEV and PHEV vehicles.
• 60%: The number of electric vehicle registrations increased 60% in 2023.
• 85%: In 2021, the number of BEV sales increased 85%.
• 138%: In 2021, PHEV sales increased 138%.
• 73%: In 2021, sales for hybrid vehicles increased 73%.

Source: IEA Global EV Outlook 2023

What Percentage of Vehicles are Electric?

While sales for electric vehicles have grown significantly since 2020, around the world, in the United States, the percentage of total vehicles that are electric remains small:

• 1%: Only around 1% of all vehicles driven in the United States are electric vehicles, despite significant growth.
• 2.2%: Around 2.2% of all vehicles driven around the world are electric vehicles.
• 75%: Since 2018, the percentage of US car sales for electric vehicles rose 75%.
• 76%: The percentage of US car sales for hybrid vehicles grew 76% since 2020.
• 83%: The percentage of US car sales for battery electric vehicles grew 83% since 2021.

Source: JD Power; Experian

Number of Electric Vehicle Models

Within the United States there are also several best-selling electric car brands including Tesla, the most popular around the world, Kia, Ford, Hyundai, Porsche, Audi, Nissan, Chevrolet, and Volkswagen.

• 114,000: Tesla, the longest operating electric car company in the US, sold 114,000 electric vehicles in the first quarter of 2022.
• 8,450: Kia is the second most popular seller of electric vehicles and sold 8,450 electric vehicles in the first quarter of 2022.
• 7,400: Ford sold 7,400 electric vehicles in the United States during the same Q1 period of 2022.
• 7,000: Hyundai manufactured and sold nearly 7,000 electric vehicles in the first quarter of 2022.
• 63.8%: In the United States, Tesla accounts for 63.8% of new electric vehicle registration.
• 6.7%: Ford accounts for 6.7% of new electric vehicle registration in the United States.
• 4.6%: Chevrolet accounts for 4.6% of new electric vehicles registered in the United States.
• 31.2%: The Tesla Model Y, the most popular, represents 31.2% of the market.
• 25.4%: The Tesla Model 3 represents 25.4% of the market.
• 5.2%: The Ford Mustang Mach-E accounts for 5.2% of the market.
• 4.3%: The Tesla Model X accounts for 4.3% of the market.
• 4.1%: The Tesla Model S accounts for 4.1% of the market.
• 3.2%: The Chevrolet Bolt EUV represents 3.2% of the market.
• 3.2%: The Hyundai Ioniq 5 represents 3.2% of the market.

Source: JD Power; Experian

Tesla Sales

Tesla is the longest running brand for electric vehicles in the United States. Today they offer several electric vehicles including:

1. Two SUVs
2. Two Sedans
3. The Model 3
4. The Model Y
5. The Model S
6. The Model X

In January 2023 alone, there were 49,917 Tesla electric vehicles registered, which represents 57% of the total BEVs registered that month, and an increase of 34% for Tesla from the same time frame the year prior.

Tesla accounts for 57% of the total market share for electric vehicles.

Non-Tesla BEV registration was 37,791 in January 2023, which represents 43% of all BEVs registered, and is an increase of 186% from the previous year.

Kia Sales

Kia is the second most popular manufacturer for electric vehicle sales in the United States. They are not as diverse in terms of offerings as Tesla, but they have smaller electric vehicles that are very popular for their size and affordability. Their most popular car is the Kia Niro.

Ford Sales

Ford, third in terms of sales in the United States, is most popular for two models:

1. The Ford Mustang Mach-E
2. The Ford Lightning Pickup Truck

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is their most popular model, being the older of the two. However, the Ford Lightning Pickup Truck has already received over 200,000 orders though they have yet to be manufactured and delivered.

Hyundai Sales

Hyundai is close to Ford in terms of sales, but they have grown more than Ford in the last year, with twice as many orders for their electric vehicles compared to 2022. Their two most popular models are:

1. The Hyundai Ioniq 5
2. The Hyundai Kona Electric Compact

Source: JD Power

Electric Vehicle Cost by Brand

Tesla may be one of the most famous electric vehicle brands in the United States, but their price tag remains the highest as well, impacting sales.

• $74,990: The Tesla Model S base price is $74,990.
• $50,490: The Tesla Model Y base price is $50,490.
• $40,240: The Tesla Model 3 base price is $40,240.
• $39,550: The base price for the Kia Niro is $39,550, which is less expensive than any Tesla model.
• $42,995: The base price for the Ford Mustang Mach-E is $42,995.
• $49,995: The base price for the Ford Lightning Pick Up truck is $49,995.
• $41,650: The base price for the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is $41,650.
• $33,550: The base price for the Hyundai Kona electric SUV is the cheapest on the market, at $33,550.

Source: Tesla; Kia; Ford; Hyundai

Electric Vehicle Purchases by Buyer

Not all electric vehicles are created equal, nor are the buyers. Given the high costs, different generations are less likely to purchase electric vehicles of any kind:

• 37.5%: Gen X represents the highest buyers of electric vehicles, at 37.5%.
• 34.4%: 34.4% of electric vehicle purchases are from the Millennial Generation.
• 20.6%: 20.6% of electric vehicle purchases are from the Boomers.
• 5.0%: 5.0% of electric vehicle purchases are from Gen Z.
• 2.10%: 2.1% of electric vehicle purchases are from the Silent Generation.

Source: Experian

Electric Vehicle Purchases by Buyer

Not all electric vehicles are created equal, nor are the buyers. Given the high costs, different generations are less likely to purchase electric vehicles of any kind:

• 37.5%: Gen X represents the highest buyers of electric vehicles, at 37.5%.
• 34.4%: 34.4% of electric vehicle purchases are from the Millennial Generation.
• 20.6%: 20.6% of electric vehicle purchases are from the Boomers.
• 5.0%: 5.0% of electric vehicle purchases are from Gen Z.
• 2.10%: 2.1% of electric vehicle purchases are from the Silent Generation.

Source: Experian

Electric Vehicle Purchases by Buyer

Not all electric vehicles are created equal, nor are the buyers. Given the high costs, different generations are less likely to purchase electric vehicles of any kind:

• 37.5%: Gen X represents the highest buyers of electric vehicles, at 37.5%.
• 34.4%: 34.4% of electric vehicle purchases are from the Millennial Generation.
• 20.6%: 20.6% of electric vehicle purchases are from the Boomers.
• 5.0%: 5.0% of electric vehicle purchases are from Gen Z.
• 2.10%: 2.1% of electric vehicle purchases are from the Silent Generation.

Source: Experian

Electric Vehicle Purchases by Buyer

Not all electric vehicles are created equal, nor are the buyers. Given the high costs, different generations are less likely to purchase electric vehicles of any kind:

• 37.5%: Gen X represents the highest buyers of electric vehicles, at 37.5%.
• 34.4%: 34.4% of electric vehicle purchases are from the Millennial Generation.
• 20.6%: 20.6% of electric vehicle purchases are from the Boomers.
• 5.0%: 5.0% of electric vehicle purchases are from Gen Z.
• 2.10%: 2.1% of electric vehicle purchases are from the Silent Generation.

Source: Experian

Electric Vehicle Registrations by State

California has the highest percentage of electric vehicles registered in the United States, representing 37% of all registered electric vehicles. However, nearly every state has joined the push for electric cars save for Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska, Mississippi, and North Dakota.

• 903,620: The number of electric vehicles registered in California reached a high of 903,620 by the end of 2022.
• 115,000: Within California, Los Angeles has the highest number of registered electric vehicles, with other 115,000 in 2022 alone.
• 68,000: San Francisco has the second highest rate of electric vehicle registrations with 68,000 new vehicles.
• 44,000: New York City has the third highest rate of newly registered electric vehicles, at 44,000.
• 23,000: Washington D.C. has over 23,000 newly registered electric vehicles.
• 167,990: Florida has 167,990 registered electric vehicles, the second largest across the United States.
• 149,000: Texas has the third highest number of electric vehicles, at 149,000.
• 104,050: The fourth highest number of registered electric vehicles is in Washington state, at 104,050.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy

The table below provides data on electric vehicles registered in each state:

Source: U.S. Department of Energy

Global Electric Vehicle Usage

Global sales for electric vehicles rose by 38% in 2020 and doubled in 2021. China represents the largest share of electric vehicle usage compared to Europe, the United States, and other countries. The table below compares the number of electric vehicles in different countries from 2020:

Note: The totals for 2023 are based on an IEA estimate using 2023 first quarter data.

Data for 2021 shows China as the leader for electric vehicle purchases, followed by Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France:

• 3,519,054: The number of electric vehicles purchased in 2021 in China reached 3,519,054.
• 631,152: The number of electric vehicles purchased in Germany in 2021 reached 631,152.
• 695,657: In the United States, there were 695,657 electric vehicles sold in 2021.
• 326,990: The number of electric vehicles purchased in 2021 in the United Kingdom reached 326,990.
• 322,990: France was close behind the United Kingdom, selling 322,990 electric vehicles in 2021.
• 153,699: Behind France was Norway, which purchased 153,699 electric vehicles in 2021, but quickly become one of the leading electric vehicle purchasers in 2022.
• 141,615: 141,615 electric vehicles were sold in Italy in 2021.
• 138,771: 138,771 electric vehicles were purchased in Sweden in 2021.
• 119,402: South Korea purchased 119,402 electric vehicles in 2021.

Source: Policy Advice

Rates of electric vehicle purchases around the world have jumped dramatically over the last four years with certain areas investing more heavily than others:

• 5 million: The total sale of electric cars in the U.S. will decrease dependence on oil by 5 million barrels daily by 2023.
• 8 million: China has jumped from 1 million electric vehicle purchases in 2020 to 8 million in 2023.
• 60%: China represents almost 60% of worldwide registration for electric vehicles.
• 18%: Purchase of electric vehicles in the United States jumped 18% between 2021 and 2023.
• 41%: Purchase of electric vehicles in Europe jumped drastically, rising 41% between 2021 and 2023.
• 88%: Norway remains a leader in European electric vehicle sales, representing 88% of 2022 purchases.

Source: IEA Global EV Outlook 2023

Best Selling Electric Vehicle Types Globally

Electric vehicles are divided into two categories:

1. Battery electric vehicles (BEV)
2. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV)

Both categories remained relatively steady in 2019 and 2020, but have since seen massive worldwide improvement for, in particular, BEVs, as indicated by the table below:

2022 Most Popular Electric Vehicles Worldwide

Around the world, certain electric vehicles are more popular than others, but Tesla finds itself near the top of the popular list everywhere.

• 771,000: Tesla’s Model Y was the most popular electric vehicle around the world, selling 771,000 models in 2022.
• 477,000: The BYD Song Plus (a BEV and PHEV model) sold 477,000 units in 2022 worldwide.
• 476,000: The Tesla Model 3 sold 476,000 units in 2022 worldwide.
• 424,000: 424,000 units of the Wiling Hong Guang Mini EV were sold in 2022.
• 315,000: The BYD Qin Plus (a BEV and PHEV model) sold 315,000 units in 2022 worldwide.
• 273,000: The BYD Han (a BEV and PHEV model) sold 273,000 units in 2022 worldwide.
• 205,000: 205,000 units of the BYD Dolfin were sold worldwide in 2022.
• 201,000: 201,000 units were sold worldwide for the BYD Yuan Plus.
• 174,000: The Volkswagen ID.4 sold 174,000 units in 2022 worldwide.
• 151,000: The BYD Tang (a BEV and PHEV model) sold 151,000 units in 2022 worldwide.

Source: Kelley Blue Book