The electric vehicle market in the USA is rapidly growing.  According to Solar&Energy, a specialized energy market research institution, with a rapid increase in domestic demand, the U.S,. EV market recorded 113,456 units in 2012-1Q.  This is an about 44.5% increase compared with 78,465 units of the corresponding period.
 
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs&PHEVs) using both engines and electric motors occupied the majority, recording 111,032 units and pure electric cars (BEVs) recorded 2,424 units.

(SOURCE: data released in KEBC on April, 2012 by Solar&Energy)

In the U.S. car market, about 12.7 million vehicles were shipped in 2011, among which about 285,000 units (2.7%) were electric vehicles.  On March, 2012, electric vehicles showed a rapid increase, accounting for 3.7% (52000 vehicles) of the total shipment (1.4 million vehicles).  According to Solar&Energy, the EV market in the United States will hit at least 45000 units and at most 0.7 million units in sales this year.

In this sense, it is expected that the growth of the EV lithium secondary manufacturers in Korea including LG Chem and SB Limotive will be on track soon.

Note) 2012-1Q US EV shipment (Unit: vehicle)

(SOURCE: data released in KEBC on April, 2012 by Solar&Energy)