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EV Adoption on the Rise as More Models Hit the Market

Published: March 12, 2024 by Melinda Zabritski

In recent years, electric vehicles (EVs) have been making a name for themselves as they continue to grow within the automotive industry, and as more models roll out, data in the fourth quarter of 2023 shows consumer interest continues to increase.

According to Experian’s State of the Automotive Finance Market Report: Q4 2023, EVs comprised 8.6% of total new retail transactions, an increase from 7.1% in Q4 2022. Furthermore, the number of consumers who leased an EV jumped from 9.8% to 30.7% year-over-year, and the number of consumers who purchased EVs went from 61.9% to 44.8% in the same period.

When analyzing how consumers transacted EVs in Q4 2023, it’s notable that leasing accounted for 91.1% of BMW iX transactions and 79.0% of BMW i4. Additionally, 78.0% of Nissan Ariya’s were leased this quarter, followed by the Volkswagen ID.4 at 74.5%, Hyundai IONIQ 6 (64.0%), and Kia EV6 (56.8%).

Alongside a wider range of models being introduced to the market, new incentive and rebate programs have drawn more consumers in as they look for a vehicle that fits their lifestyle and financial needs. This makes it crucial for automotive professionals to not only stay on top of these trends but also understand how other areas of the industry are evolving.

Average loan amounts stabilize as interest rates rise

Looking at the finance market at a broader level, the average loan amount for a new vehicle declined $1,143 year-over-year to $40,366 in Q4 2023, and the average loan amount for a used vehicle decreased from $27,907 last year to $26,685 this quarter.

Meanwhile, the average interest rate for a new vehicle reached 7.2% in Q4 2023, up from 6.1% in Q4 2022—resulting in the average monthly payment increasing from $720 to $738 year-over-year. On the used side, the average interest rate went from 10.4% last year to 11.9% this quarter, leading to the average monthly payment slightly going up to $532, from $530 in Q4 2022.

As interest rates continue to rise, it’s common to see more consumers opting for shorter-term loans to help alleviate monthly payments, a trend professionals should keep in mind as they assist those who are in the market for a vehicle.

For instance, new vehicle loans up to 48 months increased from 10.9% in Q4 2022 to 13.8% in Q4 2023, and 49- to 60-month loan terms went from 16.9% to 18.3% in the same time frame. Meanwhile, 61- to 72-month terms slightly declined from 38.7% to 38.2%, and 73- to 84-month terms went from 32% to 28.2% year-over-year.

On the other hand, used vehicle loan terms only experienced a slight shift—with loans up to 48 months increasing from 10.7% in Q4 2022 to 11.3% in Q4 2023 and 49- to 60-month loans going from 17.6% to 18.8% over the same period. Furthermore, 61- to 71-month terms slightly increased from 42.3% to 42.6%, and 73- to 84-month terms decreased from 28.7% last year to 26.5% this quarter.

To learn more about automotive finance trends, view the full State of the Automotive Finance Market: Q4 2023 presentation on demand.

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The electric vehicle (EV) market continues to see remarkable growth as both new and used registrations rise year-over-year. For the first time, new EVs accounted for 9.2% of all retail vehicle registrations across the U.S. in 2024, according to Experian’s 2024 EV Year in Review Report, and used EV registrations climbed to just over 1%, from 0.7% the year prior. As we dove into the data, we found that Tesla remains the dominant player in both new and used sectors; however, the shift in consumer preferences is extending across various manufacturers with more models hitting the market. For instance, Tesla accounted for 50.7% of new retail registrations in 2024, from 60.6% in 2023. Meanwhile, Ford increased from 4.7% to 6.2% year-over-year and Hyundai went from 4.2% to 5.4%. On the used side, Tesla made up 59% of retail registrations, from 60% in 2023, while Chevrolet grew from 7.1% to 9% and Nissan was at 5.4%, from 8.3%. As the EV market continues to grow, it’s not just the various manufacturers making waves; geographical trends are also coming into play in shaping how these vehicles are being embraced nationwide. While EV adoption is expanding well beyond the traditional EV strongholds, California still holds the highest number of registrations, with Los Angeles accounting for more than 180,000 new retail EV registrations, followed by San Francisco at 91,000+ and San Diego with more than 31,000. Hartford and New Haven, Connecticut experienced the highest growth in new retail EV registrations over the last five years, reaching 110.5% in 2024. Close behind were El Paso, Texas (with a 99% increase), and Colorado Springs, Colorado (with an 85.7% spike). These shifts highlight the rapid expansion of EV adoption across the country as we see more consumers in diverse areas opting for the fuel type. Analyzing and leveraging the broader range of registrations will help automotive professionals as they identify emerging markets to effectively tailor their strategies. To learn more about EV insights, visit Experian Automotive’s EV Resource Center.

Published: March 18, 2025 by Kirsten Von Busch

Quick Summary: Leasing continues to increase in the electric vehicle (EV) market. EVs accounted for nearly 20% of all new vehicle leases in Q4 2024, up from only 2.11% of new vehicle leases four years ago in Q4 2020. With consumers looking for flexibility—both in monthly payment and model availability—we’re seeing leasing continue to surge in the electric vehicle (EV) market. According to Experian’s State of the Automotive Finance Market Report: Q4 2024, EVs accounted for 19.5% of all new vehicle leases this quarter, up from 11.7% last year and a substantial increase from 2.1% in Q4 2020. Diving a bit deeper, data found EVs accounted for 9.3% of all new purchases in Q4 2024. Of those EVs, 50.1% were leased, while 38.9% were financed through loans. With lease payments for EVs ultimately being more affordable compared to loans and the excitement of driving the latest models packed with advanced technology, it’s no surprise we’re seeing leasing grow in popularity. Top leased EVs: How do lease and loan payments compare? As more consumers transition to EVs and manufacturers introduce new options to their lineup, certain models have become top choices for those opting to lease. Tesla accounted for the top two leased EVs in Q4 2024, with Tesla Model 3 coming in at 12.2% and Tesla Model Y at 9.1%. However, the Honda Prologue followed closely at 8.8% this quarter. Rounding out the top five were Hyundai IONIQ 5 (6.9%) and Chevrolet Equinox EV (5.9%). It’s notable that leasing has traditionally been a value-driven option for consumers, and the same holds true in the EV market. Leasing continues to offer lower monthly payments, making the finance option stand out for those looking to test an EV before purchasing or simply wanting the latest model on the lot. In Q4 2024, the average payment difference between a loan and a lease was $175. Though, the average monthly payment to lease a non-luxury EV was $504 this quarter, noting a $205 difference compared to the $709 loan payment. By comparison, the average monthly payment between a loan and leased luxury EV was $98—coming in at $842 for a lease and $940 for a loan. As more consumers choose to lease EVs, automotive professionals in both new and used markets have a chance to capitalize on this trend. By leveraging this data, those in the new retail market can effectively reach the right audience, while those in the used market can stay ahead of the curve and prepare for the influx of off-lease models in the coming years. To learn more about automotive finance trends, view the full State of the Automotive Finance Market: Q4 2024 presentation on demand.

Published: March 6, 2025 by Melinda Zabritski

With the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show set to kickoff later this week, it seemed fitting to explore how the shifting dynamics of the used vehicle market might impact dealers and buyers over the coming year. Shedding light on some of the registration and finance trends, as well as purchasing behaviors, can help dealers and manufacturers stay ahead of the curve. And just like that, the Special Report: Automotive Consumer Trends Report was born. As I was sifting through the data, one of the trends that stood out to me was the neck-and-neck race between Millennials and Gen X for supremacy in the used vehicle market. Five years ago, in 2019, Millennials were responsible for 33.3% of used retail registrations, followed by Gen X (29.5%) and Baby Boomers (26.8%). Since then, Baby Boomers have gradually fallen off, and Gen X continues to close the already minuscule gap. Through October 2024, Millennials accounted for 31.6%, while Gen X accounted for 30.4%. But trends can turn on a dime if the last year offers any indication. Over the last rolling 12 months (October 2023-October 2024), Gen X (31.4%) accounted for the majority of used vehicle registrations compared to Millennials (30.9%). Of course, the data is still close, and what 2025 holds is anyone’s guess, but understanding even the smallest changes in market share and consumer purchasing behaviors can help dealers and manufacturers adapt and navigate the road ahead. Although there are similarities between Millennials and Gen X, there are drastic differences, including motivations and preferences. Dealers and manufacturers should engage them on a generational level. What are they buying? Some of the data might not come as a surprise but it’s a good reminder that consumers are in different phases of life, meaning priorities change. Over the last rolling 12 months, Millennials over-indexed on used vans, accounting for more than one-third of registrations. Meanwhile, Gen X over-indexed on used trucks, making up nearly one-third of registrations, and Gen Z over-indexed on cars (accounting for 17.1% of used car registrations compared to 14.6% of overall used vehicle registrations). This isn’t surprising. Many Millennials have young families and may need extra space and functionality, while Gen Xers might prefer the versatility of the pickup truck—the ability to use it for work and personal use. On the other hand, Gen Zers are still early in their careers and gravitate towards the affordability and efficiency of smaller cars. Interestingly, although used electric vehicles only make up a small portion of used retail registrations (less than 1%), Millennials made up nearly 40% over the last rolling 12 months, followed by Gen X (32.2%) and Baby Boomers (15.8%). The market at a bird’s eye view Pulling back a bit on the used vehicle landscape, over the last rolling 12 months, CUVs/SUVs (38.9%) and cars (36.6%) accounted for the majority of used retail registrations. And nearly nine-in-ten used registrations were non-luxury vehicles. What’s more, ICE vehicles made up 88.5% of used retail registrations over the same period, while alternative-fuel vehicles (not including BEVs) made up 10.7% and electric vehicles made up 0.8%. At the finance level, we’re seeing the market shift ever so slightly. Since the beginning of the pandemic, one of the constant narratives in the industry has been the rising cost of owning a vehicle, both new and used. And while the average loan amount for a used non-luxury vehicle has gone up over the past five years, we’re seeing a gradual decline since 2022. In 2019, the average loan amount was $22,636 and spiked $29,983 in 2022. In 2024, the average loan amount reached $28,895. Much of the decline in average loan amounts can be attributed to the resurgence of new vehicle inventory, which has resulted in lower used values. With new leasing climbing over the past several quarters, we may see more late-model used inventory hit the market in the next few years, which will most certainly impact used financing. The used market moving forward Relying on historical data and trends can help dealers and manufacturers prepare and navigate the road ahead. Used vehicles will always fit the need for shoppers looking for their next vehicle; understanding some market trends will help ensure dealers and manufacturers can be at the forefront of helping those shoppers. For more information on the Special Report: Automotive Consumer Trends Report, visit Experian booth #627 at the NADA Show in New Orleans, January 23-26.

Published: January 21, 2025 by Kirsten Von Busch

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