Cumulative U.S. Sales of PEVs from 2012 through 2020 will Reach 1.8 Million

Sales of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) in the largest 102 cities in the United States will total slightly more than 1.8 million from 2012 through 2020, according to new findings—and the states/regions in which consumers are most likely to seek them out (in order of enthusiasm) are Northern California, New Jersey, Vermont, Texas and Southern California.

Interestingly enough, there doesn’t seem to be that much overlap between the cities/metropolitan areas in which sales will be the highest and the states/regions where overall purchases will peak.

While sales of PEVs have fallen short of projections to date, interest in these vehicles is growing, particularly in large metropolitan areas. Cities like New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle combine large population areas with early rollout schedules from vehicle manufacturers, and positive attitudes toward PEVs among residents, making them fertile ground for PEV manufacturers in the coming years, according to research conducted by Boulder, Colorado-based Pike Research (News - Alert).

By 2020, “more than one-quarter of all annual U.S. PEV sales [109,277 transactions] will be in the top five metropolitan areas for PEV sales—New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland,” explained senior research analyst Dave Hurst. “But thanks to a combination of positive attitudes toward green driving, high fuel prices, and state government support, California metropolitan statistical areas will account for more than one in five PEVs sold.”

The report’s analysis indicates that PEV acceptance is strongly linked not only to the availability of PEV models, but also to the accessibility of charging infrastructure. Texas, for example, saw a dramatic increase in the number of available EV charging stations last year. Pike Research’s index of positive opinions toward PEVs moved the state’s ranking from 42nd in 2010 to fourth in 2012— the largest change of any state in the index.

The report, “Electric Vehicle Geographic Forecasts,” includes forecasts for PEV sales across selected electric utility service territories.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO Miami 2013, Jan 29- Feb. 1 in Miami, Florida.  Stay in touch with everything happening at ITEXPO (News - Alert). Follow us on Twitter.