From Hybrid Vehicle Dominance to the Adoption of Electric Vehicles

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From Hybrid Vehicle Dominance to the Adoption of
Electric Vehicles The automotive industry is
undergoing a major transformation towards
electrification. While battery electric vehicles
(BEVs) have garnered substantial attention for
their zero-emissions potential, hybrid vehicles
are making significant strides in market
growth. Despite these promising projections for
the electric vehicle market, major automakers are
currently turning to hybrids to meet consumer
demand and comply with federal fuel economy and
emissions standards. Hybrids account for 8.3 of
US car sales, with approximately 1.2 million
units sold through November 2023an increase of
2.8 compared to the previous year.
Emerging Trends in Hybrid Vehicle Sales According
to data published by Kelley Blue Book, electric
vehicle (EV) sales in the US have experienced a
recent slowdown in growth. In the first quarter
of 2024, 268,909 new electric vehicles were sold,
accounting for 7.3 of total new vehicle sales.
This represents a decrease from the previous
quarter and a modest 2.6 increase
year-over-year, a significant drop compared to
the high growth rates of previous years. For
instance, EV sales in Q1 2023 saw a 46.4
year-over-year increase. In parallel, Tesla, the
market leader, has been notably impacted, with
its sales declining by 13.3 year-over-year in
the first quarter of 2024. Teslas market share
also dropped from 61.7 a year ago to 51.3.
Despite this, Tesla remains dominant in the EV
market by volume, selling 140,187 vehicles in Q1
2024, substantially outpacing its closest
competitor. Moving ahead, the slowdown in growth
is attributed to factors such as production
interruptions and increased competition. Tesla
paused production of its Model 3 for a redesign,
while General Motors faced issues with its Ultium
batteries, affecting EV availability. However,
brands like Cadillac and Ford experienced
substantial year-over-year
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• growth in EV sales, with Cadillac up by 499.2
  and Ford by 86.1. Meanwhile, although BEV sales
  declined in Q1 2024, hybrid vehicle sales from
  automakers like Ford, General Motors, and
  Hyundai/Kia saw expanding growth compared to the
  previous year.
• Hybrid Vehicle Landscape Types, Technologies,
  and Applications
• Hybrid vehicles combine internal combustion
  engines with electric propulsion systems. There
  are various types of hybrid vehicles, including
  plug-in hybrids, full hybrids, range extender
  hybrids, and mild hybrids, each offering
  different levels of electric assistance and fuel
  efficiency. The choice among these types depends
  on factors such as driving habits, environmental
  goals, and desired fuel savings.
• Read on to explore the features of different
  hybrid vehicle types
• Mild Hybrids Mild hybrids enhance the gasoline
  engines performance but cannot drive the vehicle
  solely on electric power. They utilize 48-volt
  systems to assist with acceleration and
  power-demanding features such as air
  conditioning. The batteries are recharged via the
  gasoline engine and regenerative braking. The
  prominent examples include General Motors
  eAssist, Fiat/Chryslers eTorque, and
  Mercedes-Benzs EQ Boost.
• Full Hybrids Full hybrids have both a gasoline
  engine and a more powerful electric component
  that can drive the car independently at low
  speeds. They feature two main types of
  powertrains
• Parallel Hybrids These powertrains are driven by
  the engine, the electric motor, or a combination
  of both.
• Series Hybrids These powertrains feature wheels
  powered solely by the electric motor, with the
  gasoline engine serving as a generator.
• Additionally, some hybrids combine these
  approaches, known as series-parallel hybrids.
  Full hybrids recharge through both the gasoline
  engine and regenerative braking.
• Plug-In Hybrids Plug-in hybrids can charge their
  batteries both internally and via external
  chargers, providing greater electric-only ranges
  compared to full hybrids. They serve as a bridge
  between full hybrids and fully electric vehicles.
• Electric Vehicles with Range Extender Hybrids
  While not true hybrids, these BEVs include a
  small gasoline engine to charge the battery or
  power the electric motor when the battery is
  depleted, extending their range and preventing
  drivers from being stranded.
• What Benefits do Hybrids offer for the driving
  experience?
• Transition Technology Hybrids act as a bridge
  between traditional internal combustion engines
  and fully electric vehicles. They provide a
  familiar driving experience while incorporating
  electric propulsion, which makes them less
  intimidating for consumers who are hesitant to
  switch to BEVs. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles
  (PHEVs) offer the best of both sphereselectric-on
  ly driving for short distances and a gasoline
  engine for longer trips, addressing concerns
  about battery range.
• Infrastructure Compatibility The charging
  infrastructure for BEVs is growing but remains
  less widespread than that for traditional gas
  stations. Hybrids, which can be refueled at any
  gas station, provide a practical alternative,
  especially for those in areas with limited
  charging facilities. For urban dwellers,
  particularly those without

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• home charging options, PHEVs offer a convenient
  solution since they do not rely solely on
  electric charging stations.
• Economic Considerations Hybrids typically have a
  lower upfront cost than BEVs. The advanced
  battery technology in BEVs drives up their price,
  while hybrids, particularly PHEVs, benefit from
  government incentives and tax breaks, making them
  a more budget-friendly choice.
• Environmental Impact Although hybrids still use
  gasoline, their electric mode significantly
  reduces tailpipe emissions compared to
  conventional cars. This reduction helps improve
  air quality and combat climate change. Hybrids
  provide a gradual transition to green mobility,
  making them an eco-friendly choice for those not
  ready to switch to fully electric vehicles.
• Moreover, government policy on electric vehicles
  contributes to making hybrids more accessible to
  consumers. Hybrids typically have lower fuel and
  maintenance costs, which appeals to
  budget-conscious buyers. Ford has recently asked
  its suppliers to reduce costs to keep vehicle
  prices down, potentially further enhancing the
  affordability of hybrids.
• PHEVs Outpace BEVs in 2023 Electric Vehicle
  Market Growth
• In 2023, Chinas New Energy Vehicle (NEV)
  industry experienced substantial growth in
  plug-in electric car registrations. The total
  number of new plug-in electric cars registered
  surpassed 8 million, solidifying Chinas leading
  position in the global EV market. Notably,
  plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)
  surpassed battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in
  both year-on-year growth and market share,
  highlighting the ongoing discussion of hybrid vs
  electric cars.
• Approximately 2.75 million PHEVs were registered
  in 2023, reflecting their increasing popularity.
  PHEVs secured about 12 of the market share,
  marking a significant presence in the automotive
  sector. Their sales surged by an impressive 80
  year-on-year, indicating a strong consumer shift
  towards this technology. The introduction of new
  PHEV models featuring larger batteries, around 40
  kilowatt-hours, played a key role in enhancing
  their appeal and adoption.
• Further, growth trends revealed a marked contrast
  between PHEV and BEV sales. Year-on- year, PHEV
  sales surged by approximately 80, whereas BEV
  sales grew by 31. The increased popularity of
  PHEVs is largely attributed to the launch of new
  models with larger batteries, enhancing their
  attractiveness to consumers.
• In this regard, according to preliminary data
  from the European Automobile Manufacturers
• Association (ACEA), PHEV sales increased by 12
  in February 2024, compared to
• a 10.3 growth in BEV sales. Year-to-date, PHEV
  sales have risen by 17.9, while BEV sales have
  grown by 18.6. Despite this growth, BEVs
  maintain a 13.2 market share, unchanged
  year-on-year, whereas PHEVs have increased their
  share from 8 to 12.
• Role of Hybrids in the Transition to an Electric
  Future
• Hybrids are currently leading the automotive
  market, but they are paving the way for a fully
  electric future. Automakers are investing heavily
  in electric vehicle (EV) development, and
  governments worldwide are enacting regulations to
  boost EV adoption. In the US, the number of
  electric cars is steadily increasing, with
  projections indicating significant growth in the
  EV market over the next decade.

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In essence, companies such as Toyota and Honda
are focusing on hybrid models to meet current
consumer needs and capture a broader audience.
However, as battery technology improves, charging
infrastructure expands, and EV prices become more
competitive, the growth rate of EVs is expected
to outpace that of hybrids. Hybrids play a
critical transitional role by introducing
consumers to electrified driving and preparing
the market for mass EV adoption. Moreover,
charging times have been a significant challenge
for EVs, but recent advancements are addressing
this issue. In May 2024, researchers led by an
Indian-origin scientist at the University of
Colorado Boulder unveiled a technology capable of
charging a dead laptop or phone in one minute and
an electric car in ten minutes. Therefore, this
breakthrough represents a significant advancement
in EV charging infrastructure, making it possible
to charge an electric vehicle as quickly and
conveniently as refueling with petrol or
diesel. How are Electric Vehicles Shaping Smart
Cities? The automotive industry is undergoing a
major shift towards more sustainable
transportation options, with hybrid vehicles and
electric vehicles (EVs) both playing pivotal
roles. Currently, hybrid vehicles are in high
demand due to their practicality, fuel
efficiency, and reduced environmental impact.
However, the long-term trajectory is leaning
towards EVs becoming the dominant force in urban
transportation. EVs, with their superior
environmental benefits, are bridging the gap
towards fully electric mobility while providing a
familiar driving experience. As smart cities
evolve and integrate advanced technologies, EVs
are set to become central to urban transportation
systems. Cities such as London, New York, Paris,
Amsterdam, and Singapore are already showcasing
the potential of EV integration through smart
grids, intelligent transportation systems, and
enhanced charging infrastructure. This trend is
further expected to accelerate with advancements
in EV battery technology and an increasing focus
on sustainable development. Looking forward, the
synergy between smart city initiatives and EV
technology is estimated to drive widespread
adoption, positioning EVs to surpass hybrids in
urban mobility. While hybrids will continue to
have a valuable role in the near term, the future
of transportation in smart cities is increasingly
oriented towards the environmental benefits of
fully electric vehicles. Technological
advancements in EVs are expected to drive this
shift, positioning them as the cornerstone of
urban mobility.