The lowest gas prices since 2009 didn’t stop US consumers from purchasing more electric vehicles in December 2015 than ever before. That month, 13,650 drivers bought or leased one of the many all-electric vehicles available on the market today. The new sales zenith marks a 10-percent increase over December 2014.
US gasoline prices in 2015 averages $2.40 per gallon while prices at the pump in 2-14 averaged $3.34 per gallon. Overall, EV sales in 2015 saw an expected downturn of 5% due to the lowered gas prices, as well as other market factors such as the halt in Prius production and delays of several months for the new Audi eTron, Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf models.
However, December’s record sales occured despite gasoline prices dipping to just $2.01 per gallon. The record-breaking EV sales, which followed a strong November showing as well, suggest that 2016 may be a big year for EVs and their contented drivers. I think we’re headed in the right direction, but we need to do more to pick up the pace.
