Nearly one-quarter of new light-duty vehicles sold in the United States in the second quarter of 2026 were hybrid, battery electric, or plug-in hybrid vehicles. These vehicles accounted for 24% of new sales, up from 22% in 2Q25, with hybrid electric vehicles reaching a record 16% market share, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported. Meanwhile, battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales declined to 6% of new vehicle sales, and plug-in hybrid sales fell to 1.4%, following the expiration of federal electric vehicle tax credits in September 2025.

The EIA notes that different vehicle technologies have different impacts on the energy sector. Fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles increase electricity demand because they charge from the grid, while conventional hybrids continue to rely on liquid fuels. Although electric vehicles are gaining market share, they remain a small portion of the overall US vehicle fleet, accounting for only about 2% of registered light-duty vehicles in 2024. The data shows that the transition toward electrified transportation is continuing but has shifted toward hybrids as consumers respond to changing incentives and market conditions.

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