Electrification of Cars in the US Accelerates in January 2023 with 7% Market Share

The electrification of cars in the United States is accelerating, with all-electric car sales surging in January 2023. According to the latest reports, out of 1.24 million new light vehicles registered in January, 87,708, or 7.1%, were all-electric. This represents a 74% increase year-over-year and a significant jump from the 4.3% market share in January 2022.

The battery electric vehicle (BEV) segment is booming, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), which reintroduced the $7,500 federal tax credit eligibility for Tesla and General Motors. Domestic BEV models saw a significant boost, while imported ones suffered the most. As a result, mainstream imported BEVs, like those from Hyundai and Kia, are not selling as well as they were in 2022.

Price cuts from manufacturers, particularly Tesla, also helped spur the market surge. In fact, Tesla remained the largest player in the BEV segment in the US, with nearly 50,000 units sold in January and a 57% share. Its Model Y and Model 3 were the two most popular BEVs sold, far exceeding sales of other electric cars.

In the premium/luxury car segment, Tesla far outsold other brands and remains the leader. However, with Tesla announcing a next-generation, entry-level mass vehicle, it remains to be seen whether the automotive industry will still consider Tesla as a premium/luxury brand in the future.

Imported BEVs, which are no longer eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit, were significantly impacted and are not selling as well as they were in 2022. This is particularly true for mainstream models like Hyundai and Kia because the premium imported BEVs are exceeding the price cap for the incentive anyway.

The January 2023 BEV registrations reveal that eight out of the ten top-selling BEVs are now locally produced. Tesla's Model Y and Model 3 were the two most popular BEVs sold, with sales far exceeding those of other electric cars. Chevrolet and Ford were the next two most popular brands, while Volkswagen gained traction thanks to the local production of the ID.4.

To further elaborate, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 has been a significant catalyst for the recent surge in all-electric car sales in the United States. This legislation, which reintroduced the $7,500 federal tax credit eligibility for Tesla and General Motors, has provided a powerful incentive for consumers to choose electric vehicles over gas-powered ones.

The tax credit, which was initially introduced in 2008 to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, had previously been phased out for automakers that had sold over 200,000 electric cars. This exclusion had placed domestic manufacturers like Tesla and General Motors at a disadvantage compared to foreign automakers, whose electric vehicles remained eligible for the tax credit.

However, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 changed this by resetting the tax credit eligibility for Tesla and General Motors. This allowed these domestic manufacturers to become more competitive with foreign automakers, who had previously dominated the electric vehicle market in the United States.

The price cuts introduced by manufacturers like Tesla have also played a role in the recent surge in all-electric car sales. By lowering the cost of their electric vehicles, these manufacturers have made electric cars more accessible to a wider range of consumers, further fueling the trend towards electrification.

Despite the significant growth in all-electric car sales, imported BEVs have been negatively impacted, particularly those from mainstream manufacturers like Hyundai and Kia. This is because the premium imported BEVs are exceeding the price cap for the incentive, making them less attractive to consumers who are looking for a more affordable electric car.

As for the future of the BEV market in the United States, it is expected that this trend towards electrification will continue to accelerate. With more and more manufacturers introducing new electric vehicles and expanding their production capabilities, consumers will have a wider range of electric cars to choose from, making electric vehicles a more viable option for everyday use.

Moreover, as the demand for electric vehicles continues to grow, we can expect to see more innovation in the BEV segment, leading to further improvements in range, charging times, and overall performance. With these advancements, electric cars will become an even more compelling option for consumers, leading to a more sustainable and cleaner transportation system in the United States.

In conclusion, the electrification of cars in the United States is well underway, and the surge in all-electric car sales in January 2023 proves it. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, price cuts from manufacturers, and a focus on domestic BEVs are driving the change. As the trend continues, we can expect to see more growth and innovation in the BEV segment.