US may not hit 1 million electric vehicles until 2020: official

Slow sales: A Chevrolet Bolt EV electric vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Jan 12. With gas prices averaging less than RM2.27 per litre, only about 400,000 electric cars have been sold to date. — Reuters

WASHINGTON: Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States may not top one million until 2020, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said Jan 21, showing purchases have fallen well below President Barack Obama's goal of reaching that number by 2015.

In an interview on the sidelines of the Washington auto show, Moniz said the country may hit the figure in three to four years with continuing improvements in battery technology, but low gasoline prices have had a negative impact on sales.