Hybrid vehicles dominate Ohio ‘green car’ market over electric vehicles

COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) — New data from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles shows the number of hybrid and electric vehicles on the roadways continues to increase.

EV purchases have slowed recently while dealers can’t keep hybrids on their lots, they’re purchased so quickly. Auto Smarts Radio car expert Dan “Boots” Longenette believes price and looks have a lot to do with why.

“Teslas can be up to six figures in some cases. If I were going to consider any going green car, I would go hybrid all the way,” Boots said.

That’s what most Ohioans are choosing to do. The BMV reports since they began tracking in electric and hybrid registrations in 2020, the number of registered hybrid models is on track to more than double by the end of 2024, while EVs are nearly quadruple. However, hybrids still far outpace EVs by more than 200,000 more vehicles on Ohio’s roadways.

“They’re finally reliable. They’re finally easy to maintain. People finally understand them,” Boots explained. “The dealerships know how to work on them. They have the proper master techs. The cars are really doing well. I think when they first came out… I think ’05 Prius– we laughed at them, us car guys– but they’ve come so far.”

On top of the price tag of some EVs, Boots believes infrastructure isn’t quite there yet for day-to-day driving and especially in extreme situations. “If you want an electric car, make sure you have the family truckster and the EV to go back and forth to work. Don’t rely on that electric car if a tornado knocks the electricity out or a hurricane is coming…. I think of Florida when all the hurricanes knocked all the power out. If you’re in an electric car, you better hitch a ride ’cause you’re not making it out of the state,” he said.

If you’re shopping for an EV or hybrid, your Ohio registration cost is higher to make up for the lost revenue the state makes through the gas tax :

• $100 a year for hybrids
• $150 for plug in hybrids
• $200 for fully electric vehicles

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.