Sponsored

Hybrid And Fully Electric Vehicle Demand Growing In Rural America

Sponsored
Sponsored

Even though Ford CEO Jim Farley recently admitted that he knows EVs aren’t for everyone – particular those that live in rural areas and routinely tow heavy loads – the Biden Administration disagrees with that sentiment. Regardless, Farley also believes that mass EV adoption will begin next year, a notion supported by a recent study that indicates the U.S. is on the cusp of that development. On the same token, Ford will continue to build hybrids for the foreseeable future even as some of its competitors will instead focus solely on EVs, while a new study from iSeeCars indicates that demand for both hybrid and fully electric vehicle models in rural America is growing at a surprisingly rapid rate.

Hybrid and electric vehicle demand has been increasing across the U.S. for a while now, but a recent study from iSeeCars sought to break down where, exactly, that demand was coming from in terms of cities and states since 2014. The results are rather surprising, as the data suggests that hybrid and electric vehicle demand is growing faster in central and rural areas than it is in densely-populated coastal cities.

Mississippi led all 50 U.S. states with a 240.9 percent growth in market share for hybrids and EVs since 2014, which was followed by the islands of Hawaii at 116.5 percent. But there are a number of more rural and central states present on the list, including Utah (97 percent), Wyoming (79.1 percent), Nevada (78.8 percent), and Nebraska (65.3 percent). Meanwhile, EV-friendly California ranked ninth on the list at 75.2 percent, which is far lower than one might expect.

“You expect to see strong hybrid and electric vehicle sales in states like California, Oregon, and Washington, or in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, or Seattle,” said iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. “While those areas do have the highest percentage of alternative fuel vehicles, the areas with the greatest growth in hybrid and electric vehicle share come from states and cities few would expect. Despite not having any statewide incentives, Mississippi’s EV adoption is growing faster than all other states, and could continue to do so as Nissan has plans to manufacture EVs in its Mississippi plant in the coming years.”

We’ll have more insights like this to share soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.

Brett's lost track of all the Fords he's owned over the years and how much he's spent modifying them, but his current money pits include an S550 Mustang and 13th gen F-150.

Sponsored
Brett Foote

Brett's lost track of all the Fords he's owned over the years and how much he's spent modifying them, but his current money pits include an S550 Mustang and 13th gen F-150.

View Comments

  • Called Ford about the Maverick Hybrid I ordered in Oct. and that couldn't tell me anything, the guy I talked to knew absolutely nothing except that I had place my order and I guess its in the system, he told me to call my dealer and my dealer says he can't understand why my truck has not been built but he knows nothing except I am in the system. My gosh, what a way to run a railroad

  • This contradicts other reports. These in-house reports by Ford are basically propaganda. EV trucks can barely tow 60 miles before you're stranded. Repair costs are astronomical. No thank you.

  • Ford ( and all the other ICE vehicle manufacturers ) needs to up EV/Hybrid/PHEV production and sales, to lower their mpg fleet rating, so they do not have to buy credits from a company like Tesla, who use to make hundreds of millions of dollars from selling those credits ( the only way they could make money at one time, and pay for their expansion ), and they need to do everything they can to promote them, with the governments' help.

    • Well I'm glad you have pinpointed the whole reason for this is an arbitrary penalty system invented by...wait for it...the government.

  • Exactly. This is how Ford manipulated the numbers for Mustang vs Mach E sales. Mustang production was suppressed while Mach E production was increased. There were less Mustangs available to buy. Blatant manipulation.

  • You beat me to it! I was going to use the same example. More false hype... Urban areas have been where most EV sales have occurred so their percentage increase will be lower. In absolute terms (sales volume vs. percentage) you can be sure rural areas HAVE NOT begun to adopt EVs to anywhere near the extent implied. Just more agenda-pushing BS.

  • We ordered our F150 9 months ago and still waiting! It’s built but not shipped. I believe it’s a chip shortage, but not being told this. Lack of communication is horrible. Even our dealership is kept in the dark. Not good business

Sponsored