U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Vehicle Technologies Office
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 
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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