Electric Vehicle Sales Analysis (2017-2019)

Hi, welcome to my webpage! This page provides an overview of electric vehicle (EV) sales in the United States from 2017 to 2019, highlighting key trends and top-selling models.

Table 1: Top-Selling Electric Vehicles in the U.S. from the years 2017-2019 - Comprehensive Specifications
Model Manufacturer Vehicle Type Seating Drivetrain Battery (kWh) EPA Range MPGe 0-60 mph Motor Config DC Fast Charge MSRP (2017-19) 2017 Sales 2018 Sales 2019 Sales
Tesla Model 3 Tesla Sedan 5 RWD / AWD 75 kWh 310 miles 116-130 3.3-5.6 sec Single / Dual Motor Tesla Supercharger $36,200 - $60,000 1,770 139,782 154,840
Tesla Model X Tesla SUV 5-7 AWD 100 kWh 295 miles 85-96 2.9-4.9 sec Dual Motor Tesla Supercharger $84,000 - $141,000 21,700 26,100 19,425
Tesla Model S Tesla Sedan 5-7 RWD / AWD 100 kWh 335 miles 98-104 2.5-5.5 sec Single / Dual Motor Tesla Supercharger $68,000 - $135,000 26,500 25,745 15,090
Prius PHEV Toyota Hatchback 4 FWD 8.8 kWh 25 miles* 133 10-11 sec Single Motor + ICE Not Supported $27,000 - $34,000 20,269 27,595 23,630
Chevy Bolt Chevrolet Hatchback 5 FWD 60 kWh 238 miles 119 6.3-6.5 sec Single Motor CCS $36,000 - $41,000 23,297 18,019 16,418
Nissan Leaf Nissan Hatchback 5 FWD 30-62 kWh 107-226 miles 114-124 6.5-10 sec Single Motor CHAdeMO $30,000 - $38,000 11,230 14,715 12,365
Chevy Volt Chevrolet Sedan 5 FWD 18.4 kWh 53 miles* 106 7.5 sec Dual Motor + ICE Not Supported $33,000 - $38,000 20,349 18,306 7,142
Honda Clarity Honda Sedan 5 FWD 17 kWh 47 miles* 110 7.7-9 sec Single Motor + ICE Not Supported $33,000 - $38,000 1,681 18,602 11,654
BMW i3 BMW Hatchback 4 RWD 33 kWh 114 miles 118-124 6.8-7.3 sec Single Motor CCS $42,000 - $48,000 6,276 6,117 4,954
Ford Fusion Energi Ford Sedan 5 FWD 9 kWh 26 miles* 104 8-9 sec Single Motor + ICE Not Supported $32,000 - $42,000 11,654 8,138 5,346
BMW 5-Series Plug-in BMW Sedan 5 RWD / AWD 9.2 kWh 16 miles* 66 5.5-6 sec Single Motor + ICE Not Supported $58,000 - $70,000 1,809 2,810 2,876
Audi e-tron Audi SUV 5 AWD 95 kWh 204 miles 74-77 5.5 sec Dual Motor CCS $74,000 - $82,000 - - 5,369
Chrysler Pacifica PHEV Chrysler Minivan 7 FWD 16 kWh 33 miles* 84 7-8 sec Dual Motor + ICE Not Supported $42,000 - $48,000 3,659 4,474 4,516
VW e-Golf Volkswagen Hatchback 5 FWD 35.8 kWh 125 miles 119-126 9.6 sec Single Motor CCS $31,000 - $34,000 4,253 5,533 5,582
Kia Niro Plug-in Kia Crossover 5 FWD 8.9 kWh 26 miles* 105 9 sec Single Motor + ICE Not Supported $28,000 - $36,000 - 2,418 6,298

*Electric-only range for plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV). Total range includes gasoline engine.

All data represents typical specifications across 2017-2019 model years. Some specifications varied between years and trim levels.

Analysis

Key Findings

Market Growth: The U.S. electric vehicle market experienced significant growth from 2017 to 2019, with annual EV sales reaching over 320,000 units by 2019.

Tesla Dominance: Tesla's Model 3 became the best-selling EV in America by 2018, capturing approximately 50% of the market share. The dramatic production increase from 1,770 units in 2017 to 139,782 units in 2018 represented an 8,600% growth year-over-year.

Technology Diversity: The market showed diverse charging standards (Tesla Supercharger, CCS, CHAdeMO) and varied vehicle types (sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, crossovers, and minivans), providing consumers with multiple options.

Performance Evolution: Pure EVs demonstrated impressive acceleration capabilities, with some models (Tesla Model S P100D, Model X P100D) achieving 0-60 mph times under 3 seconds, rivaling high-performance sports cars.

Market Trends

Range Improvements: Battery technology advanced significantly during this period. The Nissan Leaf evolved from a 30 kWh battery (107-mile range) to a 62 kWh option (226-mile range). Tesla maintained its lead with ranges exceeding 300 miles.

Plug-in Hybrid Segment: PHEVs like the Prius Prime, Chevy Volt, and Honda Clarity offered electric-only ranges of 25-53 miles, appealing to consumers concerned about range anxiety while maintaining gasoline backup capability.

Efficiency Leaders: The Toyota Prius Prime led in MPGe ratings at 133, while pure EVs like the BMW i3 (124 MPGe) and Nissan Leaf (124 MPGe) offered exceptional efficiency compared to traditional gasoline vehicles.

Premium Segment Growth: Luxury manufacturers (BMW, Audi) entered the market with premium EV offerings, expanding consumer choice beyond economy-focused models.

Tesla Models Performance

Figure 1: Tesla Model 3 - Best-Selling EV in U.S. History
Tesla Model 3
Model 2017 Sales 2018 Sales 2019 Sales Total (2017-2019)
Tesla Model 3 1,770 139,782 154,840 296,392
Tesla Model S 26,500 25,745 15,090 67,335
Tesla Model X 21,700 26,100 19,425 67,225
Total Tesla Sales 49,970 191,627 189,355 430,952
Tesla dominated the premium EV segment, accounting for over 60% of total U.S. EV sales during this period.

Affordable EV Alternative

Cheapest Alternative to a Tesla: Nissan Leaf

Nissan Leaf Historical Performance (2017-2019)

Year U.S. Sales Battery Capacity EPA Range
2017 11,230 30 kWh 107 miles
2018 14,715 40 kWh 150 miles
2019 12,365 40 / 62 kWh 150 / 226 miles

Historical Context: The Nissan Leaf was the world's best-selling EV from 2011-2014 and again in 2016, with over 650,000 units sold globally since December 2010. By 2019, it had sold 165,000+ units in the United States alone.

2026 Nissan Leaf Specifications

Pricing (2026 Model Year):

Range & Battery:

Charging:

Performance:

2026 Nissan Leaf
Figure 2: 2026 Nissan Leaf - America's Most Affordable EV

Glossary

Term meanings

RWD
Rear Wheel Drive
FWD
Forward Wheel Drive
Battery kWh
Kilowatt hours
EPA Range
Driving range calculated by the Environmental Protection Agency
MPGe
Miles per gallon equivalent
MSRP
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

All info and data found on this page can attributed to energy.gov/data and U.S. Energy Information Administration.