According to new figures from Ward’s Auto Info Bank, consumers bought a record 52,000 hybrid and electric cars during the month – that’s an increase from 34,000 during the same month last year.
Now, the two categories account for 3.64 per cent of total US sales – the highest monthly market share ever. The previous high was achieved back in July 2009, when the Cash for Clunkers scheme aided the vehicles to a 3.56 per cent market share. It also marks a significant leap from the turn of the year when hybrid and electric cars accounted for just 2.38 per cent of new car sales.
It is believed that buyers have been drawn in both by increasing petrol prices – which have teetered around $4 a gallon – and by the influx of new models on the market including the Toyota Prius C (pictured), the Prius V Wagon and the Toyota Camry Hybrid.
In addition, it has been a good month for the Chevrolet Volt. During 2011, General Motors sold just 7,671 Volt models – well below its target of 10,000. However, during March it set a new monthly record of 2,289 Volts sold. The Nissan LEAF battery electric car also saw its sales nearly double to 579.
