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Fact #230: August 19, 2002
Hybrid Electric Vehicles in the United States

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the internal combustion engine of a conventional vehicle with the battery and electric motor of an electric vehicle. Some advantages of driving an HEV are the improvement in fuel economy and the decrease in emissions. Three HEVs are currently on the market: the Honda Insight, the Toyota Prius, and the Honda Civic Hybrid. The Toyota Prius has outsold the Honda Insight in past years, probably because of its larger passenger capacity. No sales data are available for the Honda Civic Hybrid, as it was made available in Spring 2002.

Sales of Hybrid Electric Vehicles in the United States
Graph: Sales of Hybrid Electric Vehicles in the United States

Supporting Information

Calendar Sales of Hybrid Electric Vehicles in the United States
Year Honda Insighta Toyota Prius Honda Civic Hybrid
1999 17 0 0
2000 3,788 5,562 0
2001 4,853 13,568 0
2002 (January-June) 1,297 10,049 Not available
Total (as of June 30, 2002) 9,955 29,179 Not available

 

Specifications of U.S. Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Specification Honda Insighta Toyota Prius Honda Civic Hybrid
Fuel Economy (city/hwy) 57/56 mpg 52/45 mpg 46/51 mpg
Fuel Tank Capacity 10.6 gal 11.8 gal 13.2 gal
Acceleration (0-60 mph) 12.0 s 12.69 s 10.9 s
Emissions SULEVb SULEVb ULEVb
Aerodynamics 0.25 Cd 0.29 Cd .34 Cd
Curb Weight 1,964 lb 2,765 lb 2,732 lb
Passenger Capacity 2 5 5
Dimensions      
     Length 155.1 in. 169.6 in. 174.8 in.
     Width 66.67 in. 66.7 in. 77.5 in.
Cargo Capacity 16.3 ft3 11.8 ft3 10.1 ft3
Price $21,280 $20,450 $19,550

a Specifications are for the continuously variable transmission. The Insight is also available with manual transmission.
b SULEV = super ultra low emission vehicle. ULEV = ultra low emission vehicle.
Sources: Manufacturers' Web sites: Honda Insight (select "Insight" from Models list), Honda Civic Hybrid, and Toyota Prius.
Sales data: Ward's Communications, Inc., Ward's Automotive Reports, Southfield, MI, 2002.

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