Attraction Towards Various Fuel Types For Pickup Trucks Reflects Evolving Consumer Preferences

The pickup truck market is shifting gears, and hybrids are emerging as a driving force behind the change. As more drivers prioritize fuel efficiency while still expecting towing power, hybrid models are stepping in to redefine the segment. According to Experian’s Automotive Consumer Trends Report: Q3 2025, gas-hybrid and plug-in hybrid pickup trucks accounted for nearly one-in-five new light-duty trucks sold, coming in at 17.8% this quarter. This signals a major shift in a historically ICE-dominated category. Hybrids are likely gaining traction because they offer the best of both worlds. While their systems provide fuel efficiency by combining gas or diesel engines with electric motors to avoid range anxiety, they’re also meeting most towing and hauling requirements that accompany the traditional gas-powered trucks. Overall pickup truck market trends fueling hybrid growth When looking at the market from a broader perspective, there were 55.3 million light-duty trucks on U.S. roads in the third quarter of 2025, representing 20.10% of all vehicles in operation. Furthermore, as of Q3 2025, 34% of U.S. households with one-or-more vehicles also own a light-duty pickup truck, giving this segment a strong foothold in transportation options. The widespread presence underscores the pickup truck’s influence in the automotive industry as they set the pace for consumer expectations and steer market trends. The increased momentum for hybrid trucks can also help OEMs and dealers capitalize on growing their presence in an increasingly competitive space. It’s important for automotive professionals to consider aligning sales strategies with evolving buyer preference to elevate consumer engagement as this trend offers benefits today and even greater potential ahead. To learn more about pickup truck insights, view the full Automotive Consumer Trends Report: Q3 2025 presentation.

Many across the industry have been waiting to learn how EV activity has changed now that the EV tax credit has been eliminated. According to Experian’s State of the Automotive Finance Market Report: Q3 2025, the EV market saw a sharp uptick in transactions as many locked in these benefits before they disappeared, though it remains to be seen what the market will look like in the fourth quarter. With the EV market expanding and more models entering the lineup, shoppers also benefited from various options across a wider range of price points within their budget. Even so, many opted to lease a new EV rather than purchase it. More than 56% of consumers leased an EV in Q3 2025, up from 46.43% last year. The gap between the number of EV leases and purchases reflects several underlying factors, one of them being this option likely offered lower upfront costs and monthly payments. For instance, the average monthly payment for a lease was $172 lower than a loan for an EV in Q3 2025. Where EV performance stands in the broader market When looking at the data from a larger perspective, EVs made up 25.31% of the total new lease market, compared to 17.69% a year ago. The alternative fuel type also comprised four of the top ten leased models, with Tesla Model Y (4.35%) and Tesla Model 3 (2.58%) as the top two. They were followed by the Honda Prologue (1.78%) as the fifth most leased model and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 (1.49%) as the ninth. EVs making up nearly half of the top ten leased models in the overall market underscores how quickly consumer preferences can shift and how incentives play a role in purchasing behavior. Consumers’ comfort with EV technology continuing to grow paired with the steady expansion of compelling models across segments also highlights the momentum that is being brought to the overall automotive industry. As the market continues to move forward, the interplay of expiring incentives, more model availability, and a strong desire for leasing shows how EVs have steadily become a more prominent consideration. Leveraging these insights will help automotive professionals best position themselves to support consumers navigating an increasingly dynamic landscape. To learn more about EVs and other automotive finance trends, view the full State of the Automotive Finance Market Report: Q3 2025 presentation on demand.

While the dynamics of the electric vehicle (EV) market continue to drive headlines, recent data reveals that although EV registrations remain steady, hybrids are becoming a practical bridge between gas-powered vehicles and EVs. Experian’s Automotive Consumer Trends Report: Q2 2025 found EVs accounted for 9.2% of new retail registrations, down from 10.5% in Q2 2024, and gas-powered vehicles declined from 73.7% to 71.9% year-over-year. Meanwhile, hybrids jumped from 15.8% to 18.9% in the same time frame. Digging a bit deeper, one of the most telling insights from the data was the apparent transition that consumers make when returning to the market for another vehicle purchase. The data shows that as consumers become familiar with alternative fuel types, some “graduate” into more electrified vehicles. For example, nearly 13% of gas-powered vehicle owners replaced their vehicle with a hybrid (10.8% for hybrids and 2.0% for plug-in hybrids [PHEV], respectively). Meanwhile, 52.2 % of hybrid owners returned to the market to purchase another hybrid and 5.0% returned to purchase a PHEV.  Further along in the electrified vehicle funnel, we’re seeing 11.0% of PHEV owners returning to market to purchase a hybrid, while 31.7% returned to purchase another PHEV and 22.2% purchase an EV. Most EV households are not exclusively electric Data in the second quarter of this year found 80% of EV-owning households also have a gas-powered vehicle and 14.9% also own a hybrid, demonstrating that consumers are looking for ways to accommodate their diverse driving needs. While the interest in EVs remains strong, many consumers still rely on more traditional fuel types for various reasons. Though, hybrids are notably becoming a middle ground solution as they offer fuel efficiency without the other concerns that can accompany an EV. As alternative fuel types continue to create a household name in the automotive industry, hybrids are starting to play a notable role in the transition to electrification. Data from this quarter not only shows that consumers are experimenting with alternative fuel types, but they’re also integrating them into multi-vehicle households. With their growing popularity reflects a pragmatic approach to balancing the latest innovation with everyday practicality, hybrids may be the key steppingstone that brings mainstream consumers closer to the electrified space. To learn more about alternative fuel type insights, view the full Automotive Consumer Trends Report: Q2 2025 presentation.