Automakers Ditch Plug-in Hybrids as Sales Plummet

Plug-in hybrid models rapidly disappearing from US showrooms as demand wanes and prices rise.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Automakers in the US are quickly phasing out plug-in hybrid vehicles as sales decline and consumer interest shifts towards fully electric or conventional hybrid models. Several major brands, including Stellantis, Ford, and Volvo, have discontinued or canceled multiple plug-in hybrid offerings over the past year, leaving fewer options for buyers. Industry experts cite high costs and low demand as the primary reasons behind this industry-wide pullback from plug-in hybrids.

Why it matters

The retreat from plug-in hybrids represents a significant shift in automakers' electrification strategies, as they reassess their investments and focus more on either simpler hybrid models or fully electric vehicles. This change could impact the transition towards widespread EV adoption, as plug-in hybrids were once seen as a bridge technology to help consumers gradually move away from traditional gasoline-powered cars.

The details

Plug-in hybrids, which combine a battery-powered electric motor with a gasoline engine, were designed to provide the convenience of long-range driving without the full commitment to an all-electric vehicle. However, sales of these models have plummeted, with a 51.8% year-over-year decline in January 2026. As demand has weakened and prices have risen, automakers have begun pulling plug-in hybrid models from their US lineups. Stellantis, Ford, Kia, and Volvo have all discontinued or canceled several plug-in hybrid offerings, leaving fewer options for consumers.

  • In January 2026, year-over-year sales of plug-in hybrids fell 51.8%.
  • Over the past year, Stellantis has canceled or discontinued several plug-in hybrid models, including the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, Jeep Wrangler 4xe, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, Alfa Romeo Tonale hybrid, and Dodge Hornet R/T.
  • Last year, Volvo stopped US production of the S60 and V60 Recharge, including their plug-in hybrid variants, as part of "normal lifecycle planning".

The players

Stellantis

An automotive manufacturing corporation formed in 2021 through the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Peugeot S.A. (Groupe PSA).

Ford

An American multinational automaker that designs, manufactures, markets, and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles, and Lincoln luxury vehicles.

Kia

A South Korean multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.

Volvo

A Swedish multinational manufacturer of luxury vehicles, including sedans, station wagons, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), and crossover utility vehicles (CUVs).

Kevin Roberts

The director of market intelligence at CarGurus, an online automotive marketplace.

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What they’re saying

“Consumers really don't seem to like them. The sales figures are low and declining.”

— Kevin Roberts, Director of Market Intelligence (Business Insider)

“Automakers probably dislike plug-in hybrids the most. It's the most expensive option out there — you have to put in all the hardware for an EV, plus all the hardware for a combustion vehicle. Then, you have to add all the additional components to make them work together.”

— Kevin Roberts, Director of Market Intelligence (Business Insider)

What’s next

The retreat from plug-in hybrids represents a significant shift in automakers' electrification strategies, as they reassess their investments and focus more on either simpler hybrid models or fully electric vehicles. This change could impact the transition towards widespread EV adoption, as plug-in hybrids were once seen as a bridge technology to help consumers gradually move away from traditional gasoline-powered cars.

The takeaway

The rapid decline of plug-in hybrid sales and the subsequent removal of these models from US showrooms highlights the evolving landscape of the automotive industry's electrification efforts. Automakers are now focusing more on either conventional hybrid or fully electric vehicles, signaling a shift away from the plug-in hybrid as a transitional technology towards a more polarized electric future.