Top 10 states for sales of hybrids, electric vehicles in 2018

As demand for electric and hybrid vehicles gained steam in recent years, the auto industry responded accordingly. Tesla's various car models' emergence into the mainstream signaled the clearest breakaway from the traditional vehicle. Now, Nissan, General Motors, Hyundai and many more are looking to carve their spot in the market. While drivers might be eager to switch, they should consider all of the implications such a move would entail. The cost of auto insurance, for instance, varies considerably across the country and the type of car being covered is one of many factors that impact a driver's rate. Research from 2015 by NerdWallet found that car insurance quotes for electric cars were 21% higher, on average, than quotes for the gas cars. The differences ranged from 16% higher (for the Volkswagen Golf) to 26% higher (for the Fiat 500). As electric and hybrid vehicles have cemented a place in the current marketplace, it remains to be seen how the insurance industry prices policies for these vehicles going forward. Related: Commercial auto insurers map out a path to profitability

Product liability concerns

Another developing area of concern with electric and hybrid vehicles is the issue of potential product liability. These types of vehicles have a greater technological reliance — as numerous manufacturers are responsible for producing different components — the question of liability comes into play in the event of an accident. Consider this: In May 2018, firefighters put out a blazing battery pack on a Tesla Inc. Model X, but its highly flammable lithium-ion battery cells reignited multiple times after that. "Fires on electric vehicles are rare, but the volatile chemistry of their batteries and the need for special training on how to extinguish them raises new safety questions as automakers are poised to dramatically increased production," reported Bloomberg. In spite of these concerns, sales of electric and hybrid vehicles boomed in 2018. With this in mind, here are the top 10 states for such car sales in 2018, courtesy of CarMax. Related: Select Hyundai, Kia models have high fire insurance claim rates