Q3 2026 U.S. EV Sales Report: Hybrids Capture Additional Share As BEV and PHEV Sales Decline Sharply

Electrified vehicles accounted for more than 25% of U.S. retail sales in the third quarter of 2026. Of the 3,255,572 new vehicles sold at retail during the quarter, 862,331 were electrified, according to Urban Science’s daily sales data through September 30, 2026.

Combined sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) represented 26.5% of retail sales in Q3, holding steady from 26.9% in Q2. However, after outperforming the broader market in Q2, electrified vehicle sales reversed course in Q3, dropping 7.4% year over year, compared with a 2.6% year-over-year decline for the industry at large.

“Electrified vehicles lost some momentum in Q3, but the category’s relatively stable market share was supported by strong HEV retail sales growth, which offset steep year-over-year declines in new BEV and PHEV sales,” said Mitch Phillips, global director of data at Urban Science. “The results underscore the increasingly important role HEVs play in sustaining the broader electrified vehicle category, and in the retail sales mix overall.”

Hybrids Keep the Electrified Category Afloat

As in previous quarters, hybrids continued to drive new electrified vehicle sales, sustaining the overall electrified vehicle category’s share of the U.S. retail market despite sharp declines in BEV and PHEV sales. In Q3 2026, hybrid sales grew 28.0% year over year to 575,246 units, accounting for 17.7% of all Q3 U.S. retail sales. In contrast, BEV sales dropped 40.9% year over year to 242,413 units, capturing 7.4% of the market. PHEV sales saw a similar downturn, falling 38% year over year to 44,672 units to claim just 1.4% of Q3 retail sales. The stark difference in performance between segments highlights a clear preference for hybrids among buyers, a market dynamic original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) must be mindful of as they plan for future demand.

While combined sales of new electrified vehicles remained largely unchanged year over year, certified pre-owned (CPO) sales posted substantial gains. Combined CPO sales of BEV, PHEV and hybrid vehicles rose 44% year-to-date through September 2026 when compared with the same period in 2025. The growth was led by used BEV sales, which increased 68%.

Year-to-Date Performance Puts Q3 Results Into Perspective

Despite year-over-year declines in new BEV and PHEV sales in Q3, electrified vehicle sales have increased their share of the U.S. retail market on a year-to-date basis. Their combined year-to-date market share rose three percentage points between Q1 and Q3, from 22.7% to 25.7%. Hybrids accounted for more than half of this gain: their share grew from 15.5% to 17.1% between Q1 and Q3. BEVs and PHEVs also recorded modest gains in year-to-date market share, with BEVs rising from 6.1% in Q1 to 7.4% in Q3, while PHEVs climbed from 1.0% in Q1 to 1.3% in Q3. By the end of Q3, hybrids represented approximately two-thirds of the electrified vehicle market by year-to-date share, demonstrating their key role in supporting the electrified vehicle category’s overall growth.

New York Nets 47.7% Hybrid Sales Growth

After overtaking Illinois to claim fifth place in electrified vehicle sales in Q2, Pennsylvania maintained its position in Q3. The Keystone State joined California, Florida, Texas and New York as the nation’s top five markets.

California led the U.S. by a significant margin, with 508,892 year-to-date electrified vehicle sales, accounting for 45.8% of the state’s retail market. This is more than double the volume of either Florida (217,720) or Texas (204,183), which ranked second and third with combined electrified vehicle market shares of 25.0% and 21.0%, respectively. New York followed with 114,678 year-to-date electrified vehicle sales and a 20.2% combined electrified vehicle market share. Pennsylvania’s year-to-date electrified vehicle sales totaled 79,064 by the end of Q3, representing 22.1% of the market.

While California dominated in sales volume, New York saw the largest year-over-year growth in a single electrified vehicle segment among the top five states in Q3 2026. The state recorded 30,658 hybrid vehicle sales in Q3, a 47.7% increase over the same quarter in 2025.

Compact Cars Make a Comeback

Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) commanded three of the top five spots among best-selling electrified vehicle segments. However, compact cars returned to the top five in Q3 after being edged out by large SUVs in Q2.

Compact SUVs led the market with 659,651 year-to-date sales, representing 7.1% of the market. Luxury mid-size SUVs came in second, with 396,481 year-to-date sales and a 4.2% market share. Mid-size cars ranked third with 278,361 year-to-date sales (3.0% market share), followed by mid-size SUVs with 253,523 year-to-date sales (2.7% market share). Compact cars generated 124,762 year-to-date sales, capturing 1.3% of the broader market.

“Consumers are still buying electrified vehicles, but demand is increasingly concentrated around compact vehicle segments, hybrids and the used market,” noted Phillips. “With affordability remaining a top concern for vehicle buyers and federal incentives a thing of the past, it’s no surprise consumers are seeking budget-friendly ways to explore electrification.”

Figures reflect U.S. retail new-vehicle sales through September 30, 2026, drawn from Urban Science daily sales data sourced directly from automakers. Combined electrified vehicle totals include battery-electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicles.

Post Summary

Electrified vehicles accounted for more than a fourth of U.S. retail sales in the third quarter of 2026, with continued growth in the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) segment offsetting year-over-year declines in battery electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) sales. Urban Science’s Q3 2026 U.S. EV Sales Report provides automakers and dealers with insight into electrified vehicle sales trends across fuel types, geographies and vehicle segments.

FAQ

• What is the Q3 2026 U.S. EV Sales Report? The Q3 2026 U.S. EV Sales Report is an electrified vehicle retail sales report. It features Urban Science’s proprietary new-vehicle retail sales data through September 30, 2026. It covers the BEV, PHEV and hybrid segments, along with state-level sales insights for the nation’s top five states by electrified vehicle retail sales volume.
• What percentage of new vehicle sales in the U.S. were electrified in Q3 2026? Combined sales of BEVs, PHEVs and hybrid vehicles accounted for 26.5% of U.S. new-vehicle retail sales in Q3. Of the 3,255,572 new vehicles sold at retail during the quarter, 862,331 were electrified, according to Urban Science’s daily sales data through September 30, 2026.
• Did electrified vehicle sales increase or decrease in Q3 2026? U.S. electrified vehicle sales declined 7.4% year over year in Q3, compared with a 2.6% year-over-year decline in overall new vehicle sales. BEV sales dropped 40.9% year over year, and PHEV sales fell 38.0% year over year. However, hybrid sales increased 28.0% year over year in Q3 2026, helping to sustain the electrified vehicle category’s market share.
• How many hybrid vehicles were sold in the U.S. in Q3 2026? A total of 575,246 hybrid vehicles were sold at retail in the U.S. in Q3 2026, representing a 28.0% increase year over year. Hybrids accounted for 17.7% of all new-vehicle retail sales during the quarter.
• How many BEVs were sold in the U.S. in Q3 2026? U.S. BEV sales totaled 242,413 in Q3 2026, down 40.9% year over year. BEVs accounted for 7.4% of all new-vehicle retail sales during the quarter.
• How many PHEVs were sold in the U.S. in Q3 2026? In Q3 2026, U.S. PHEV sales totaled 44,672 units, a 38.0% year-over-year decline. PHEVs accounted for 1.4% of all new-vehicle retail sales during the quarter.
• Which U.S. states had the highest electrified vehicle sales in Q3 2026? California, Florida, Texas, New York and Pennsylvania recorded the highest year-to-date electrified vehicle sales through Q3 2026. California led with 508,892 year-to-date electrified vehicle sales, representing 45.8% of the state’s new-vehicle retail market.