California EV sales up 91% in first quarter of 2017

Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) increased 91 per cent in the first quarter of this year, compared to the same period in 2016. 

A total of 13,804 pure electric cars were sold throughout the state over the first three months of this year, with the most popular manufacturers being Tesla, Chevrolet, and Nissan.

Sales for all cars and light trucks totalled 506,745, according to the California New Car Dealers Association.

The Chevy Bolt was the most popular model, which Rebecca Lindblad – a Kelley Blue Book analyst –said brings a “new element” to the electric car market.

Over the three months, Chevy sold 2,735 Bolt EVs in California, which have a range of 240 miles.

During the same period, sales of plug-in hybrids were up 54 per cent, with 10,466 cars sold.

In total, EVs constituted 2.7 per cent of the new car market in California during January, February, and March. 

However, by 2025, around 15 per cent of the cars in the state will be required to be zero-emission vehicles.

California’s Air Resources Board is promoting policies that it hopes will make this target a reality.

The news follows the announcement renewable energy sources provided 67 per cent of all electricity used by the California Independent System Operator on Saturday 13 May, a new state record. 

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