By Hyunjoo Jin

SAN FRANCISCO, (Reuters) – While pure electric vehicles are the talk of the town, their gasoline-electric hybrid counterparts managed to sell record numbers in the United States last fiscal year, according to industry data.

While Ford Motor (NYSE) Co and Tesla (NASDAQ) Inc pushed for electric car sales, Asian automakers boosted hybrid vehicles as many consumers still avoid EVs because of higher prices, limited range, or lack of charging stations.

According to Wards Intelligence data, hybrid vehicle sales in the United States jumped 76% last year to 801,550 units. This accounts for 5% U.S. light car sales.

Although EV sales increased 83% to 434 8,879, they still only represented 3% of total market.

Toyota Motor (NYSE 🙂 Corp had record-breaking hybrid vehicle sales in America, making it the leading U.S. carmaker.

Toyota saw a 73% increase in sales of hybrids, plugs-ins, and fuel cells, reaching 583,697. Most of these vehicles were hybrid. GM sold fewer that 25,000 electric vehicles after it recalled Bolt EVs to address battery fire dangers.

Brett Smith, Center for Automotive Research technology director, stated that hybrids provide a unique combination of fuel efficiency and performance, without the drawbacks of electric cars.

Hybrid EVs are powered only by electricity, and need to be charged with infrastructure. Pure EVs use an engine that is conventionally combustion but has an electric propulsion system.

Honda Motor Co. is the number 2 hybrid car seller in America. American’s No. 2 hybrid car manufacturer, Honda Motor Company, has also seen a 67% increase in hybrid vehicle sales compared to 2020. This year, the record-breaking 107.060 hybrids were sold.

“We aim to increase our hybrid products sales, CR-V & Accord substantially in the future as we prepare for electric vehicles,” Dave Gardner (executive vice president of Honda), told Reuters.

Honda plans to launch the first EV in the U.S. market by 2024. This market is expected to grow due to a slew automaker model launches and the policy support of the Biden administration.

Gardner explained that while it is only a matter-of-time, I believe consumer acceptance will be slow to catch up.

Jose Munoz from Hyundai Motor Co, the global chief operating office, stated that hybrids and plugs-in hybrids are “enablers” to help increase sales of battery EVs.

He said that some of his competitors jump straight into the battery electric only. However, we still see many consumers who are cautious about getting in to battery electric only.