We report the best January ever for U.S. EV sales, but only a few models pushed the number up.

Based on automakers' sales reports and our estimates, we report a total of 17,040 plug-in electric vehicles were sold in the U.S. in January, compared to last year's 12,009 and last month's 49,900. The number may be a bit higher since we're still unable to secure sales data for the new Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid (plug-in). Moreover, keep in mind that we are now somewhat in the dark regarding GM and Tesla estimates with the new year and current situations. Bear with us as we work hard to get more concrete information.

The year is off to a decent start for EV sales, but, as expected, the overall total is low. If it wasn't for the Tesla Model 3 and the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid both dialing up deliveries compared to last year, we may not be reporting an increase. As the year moves on, we expect sales results to ramp up significantly.

We do know that Tesla is focusing all Model 3 production for overseas markets at this point, so healthy U.S. delivery numbers this January (6,500) are impressive. As the situation levels out, we should see U.S. Model 3 deliveries rise. Much like the Model S and Model X, Tesla will focus Model 3 production efforts more on the U.S. market as the quarter wears on. However, we feel that the first quarter will remain somewhat low, as it's a huge task to shift deliveries to foreign markets.

Honda made monumental strides in 2018 with its Clarity Plug-In Hybrid. It outsold its number one rival -- the Toyota Prius Prime -- in October and December. Now, January brings another win for the Clarity PHEV. Based on official reports from both automakers, Honda sold 1,196 Clarity Plug-In Hybrids in January compared to Toyota's 1,123 Primes delivered.

Sadly, no other plug-in model eclipsed the 1,000-mark last month.

With that being said, which month this year will be the first to join our top five list? Let us know your guess in the comment section.

Top Months for U.S. EV Sales to Date (estimated):

  1. December 2018 – 49,900
  2. September 2018 – 44,544
  3. November 2018 – 42,588
  4. August 2018 – 36,347
  5. October 2018 – 34,074

We'll close out the month with the usual final data points and another look at our completed sales chart.

Other Statistical Points of Interest from January 2019

Top Manufacturers Of Plug-In Vehicles:

  1. Tesla* – 8,325
  2. General Motors* – 1,600
  3. Honda – 1,271
  4. Toyota – 1,192
  5. BMW Group – 996

Pure Electric Car Market Share vs PHEV In January*

  1. BEV – 10,765
  2. PHEV – 6,275

*Based on estimates due to the lack of U.S. monthly sales reporting by Tesla, GM, and Ford, as well as BMW i3 splits (BEV + REx), and multiple automakers refusing to provide information related to individual EV sales.

2019 U.S. EV SALES JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC TOTAL
Tesla Model 3 6500                       6,500
Honda Clarity PHEV 1192                       1,192
Toyota Prius Prime 1123                       1,123
Tesla Model X 950                       950
Chevrolet Bolt EV 925                       925
Tesla Model S 875                       875
Nissan LEAF  717                       717
Chevrolet Volt* 675                       675
Ford Fusion Energi 557                       557
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid** 436                       436
BMW 530e* 376                       376
Kia Niro PHEV* 279                       279
BMW i3 (BEV + REx)  255                       255
BMW 330e* 216                       216
Jaguar I-Pace 210                       210
Audi A3 Sportback e-tron* 175                       175
Volkswagen e-Golf  164                       164
Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid* 150                       150
Mercedes C350e* 140                       140
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 133                       133
Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV* 95                       95
Mercedes GLE 550e* 92                       92
Volvo XC60 PHEV* 90                       90
smart ED  83                       83
Honda Clarity BEV  78                       78
Mercedes GLC 350e* 74                       74
Hyundai IONIQ PHEV* 73                       73
Fiat 500e**  72                       72
BMWX5 xDrive 40e* 71                       71
Porsche Cayenne S-E* 65                       65
Mini Countryman SE PHEV* 50                       50
Volvo S90 T8 PHEV* 35                       35
Hyundai IONIQ EV 34                       34
Kia Optima PHEV* 30                       30
BMW i8 23                       23
Cadillac CT6 PHEV* 8                       8
Mercedes S550e* 8                       8
BMW 740e* 6                       6
Hyundai Sonata PHEV* 4                       4
Mercedes B250e  1                       1
Ford Focus Electric  0                       0
Kia Soul EV 0                       0
Ford C-Max Energi 0                       0
2019 U.S. Sales Totals 17,040 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17,040
2018 U.S. Sales Totals 12,009 16,845 26,443 19,623 24,307 25,029 29,598 36,347 44,544 34,074 42,588 49,900 361,307
2019 Worldwide Sales*                          
2018 Worldwide Sales* 82,000 81,000 141,000 128,450 159,346 160,894 144,975 175,362 206,500 214,800 237,553 286,367 2,018,247

Above - 2019 Monthly Sales Chart For The Major Plug-In Automakers. *Estimated Sales Numbers – Reconciled on Monthly or Quarterly Totals. ** Estimated (Based on State/Rebate Data and other reports). BEV models are designated with the icon.

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