Hybrid sales jump due to insufficient EV infrastructure

Hyundai Motor's eco-friendly Tucson Hybrid SUV North American model / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group

By Kim Hyun-bin

A worker in his early 40s surnamed Kwon recently purchased a new hybrid vehicle as rising gas prices and inflation had been taking a toll on his budget. Initially, Kwon looked into purchasing an electric vehicle (EV) but turned to a hybrid as he believes the country lacks EV infrastructure and he also has safety concerns.

“Initially, I considered purchasing an EV but went with a hybrid as there seem to be difficulties finding vacant charging stations,” Kwon said. “Also we have a young child and there were many accidents that engulfed EVs into flames, so I didn't want to take the risk.”

Like Kwon, many are choosing hybrids, and carmakers are responding quickly to the increased demand by expanding their hybrid lineups.

According to the CARISYOU data research institute, the total number of hybrid cars sold in Korea from January to April this year increased by 25.6 percent compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 91,750 vehicles.

It is analyzed that consumers who feel burdened by the high price range of EVs and the lack of charging infrastructure are turning to hybrid cars.

Korea's best-selling hybrid car is Hyundai's Grandeur. Sales of Grandeur Hybrids in the first quarter of this year reached 13,462 vehicles, accounting for 22 percent of Hyundai's total hybrid car sales in the first quarter.

During the same period, Hyundai's domestic sales of hybrid cars exceeded 20,000 vehicles, more than double the previous year's number. Last month, Hyundai sold 11,524 hybrids in the domestic market, an increase of 113.2 percent compared to the previous year. Grandeur Hybrid accounted for about half of that, or 5,179 cars.

In Kia, the Sorento Hybrid is the best-selling hybrid car. A total of 14,391 vehicles were sold in the domestic market by last month. During the same period, the K8 Hybrid sedan sold 13,840 vehicles.

As internal combustion engine cars are being phased out of the market, hybrids are emerging based on their affordability compared to EVs and higher fuel efficiency and performance compared to internal combustion engine cars.