We’re a long way from having a million EVs on the road, but we’re getting there. According to a new report from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), there were about 70,000 EVs and 104,000 PHEVs on US roads in 2013 (out of a total of 226 million registered vehicles). Total US plug-in sales represent 0.7% of new vehicle sales in 2014 so far, up from 0.6% in 2013 and 0.4% in 2012.
It’s no surprise that California is the most electrified state, with almost half of the nation’s pure EVs, followed by Washington and Hawaii.
California’s ZEV mandate requires automakers to produce a certain number of zero-emission vehicles. By 2025, 15% of all light-duty vehicles sold in the state must be either battery- or fuel-cell-powered. Nine other states also follow California’s ZEV mandate – together, these states represent almost a quarter of the US vehicle market.
Also unsurprisingly, the states that offer generous tax and other incentives (including Georgia, Maryland and DC) are near the top of the list in EV sales.