The Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) recently released its May 2013 Electric Drive Sales Dashboard, which found that the last month was a record one for environmentally friendly vehicles. More than 48,796 hybrids were solid in the U.S. in May, bolstering the yearly sales to 212,711 vehicles - a 14 percent increase compared to the same time last year.
Plug-in vehicles also had a boost in sales. About 7,754 of these models were purchased in May, the highest monthly total since the introduction of this type of car in 2010, the study found.
"With constantly advancing technology and building consumer confidence, the electric drive industry is well positioned to carry this momentum forward," said Brian Wynne, president of the EDTA. "It's no surprise gasoline prices are spiking again, but now motorists have real alternatives to the monopoly [of] fuel. These cars use far less gasoline than their combustion engine counterparts - or no gas at all."
More affordable green car options are helping to raise the profile of these vehicular options. Drivers are also less concerned about things like expensive car repair or vehicle maintenance, because as the prevalence of these vehicles grows, auto repair franchises become more familiar with how to care for these automobiles.