Boulder-based Pike Research issued a report last week that projects 4 million fleet hybrids on streets worldwide by 2015. The report entitled “Hybrid Electric Vehicles for Fleet Markets” reviews market trends that will contribute to a 16% growth in fleet hybrid ownership in the next six years. Pike Research concluded that current hybrid fleet sales of 300,000 in 2009 will balloon to about 830,000 in 2015. Researchers cite the need for businesses, universities and government agencies to reduce fuel costs and emissions for this potential hybrid vehicle explosion.
North America is tabbed by Pike Research as the most likely site for growth in the fleet hybrid and plug-in vehicle markets. The report notes that North America will experience the largest growth in hybrid sales with a projected increase of 8% from 2009 to 2015. Pike Research attributes some of this growth to a projected 10% growth in hybrid bus sales and comparable sales of hybrid trucks and commercial vehicles. The United States in particular will be the largest market for fleet hybrids by 2015 with 434,848 hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and 204,110 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in operation.
Pike Research indicates that while the percentage of fleet hybrid sales will increase the most in North America, Asia will be the region with the highest volume of sales. Japan, China and other Asian countries will acquire 420,000 fleet hybrids per year by 2015, which contributes more than 50% of Pike Research’s global sales projection. China places second to the United States in projected ownership by 2015 with 371,198 HEVs and 190,125 PHEVs running on Chinese streets. Asia will eclipse North America, Europe and other regions in terms of overall fleet vehicle sales, which diminishes the proportion of fleet hybrids sold.
“Hybrid Electric Vehicles for Fleet Markets” sounds great for hybrid and plug-in fans interested in increased penetration for this technology. Pike Research also encourages the enthusiasm of hybrid fans by showing a ripple effect from HEVs to PHEVs to all-electric vehicles over time. We should be careful not to make too much of this report, however, as it focuses on medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. The overall fleet hybrid projection for 2015 sounds great but these vehicles will be drowned out by traditional fleet vehicle sales. If Pike Research’s projections are accurate, however, HEVs and PHEVs will become commonplace worldwide and hopefully contribute to greater sales for passenger HEVs in time.
hybrid/electric is just a temporary trend driven by the automotive industry need for profit source diversification. but still polluted way to drive isn’t it?