WASHINGTON – Electric cars are not pulling in buyers in 2012 but it might have more to do with the availability of charging stations than the cars’ popularity.

Despite electric models now being offered by Ford, BMW, Honda, Mitsibushi and Nissan, Edmunds.com reports about 4,100 electric cars were sold nationwide in the first six months of 2012.

That’s only a six percent increase from the same period last year. The Los Angeles Times reports the sale of an additional 234 cars accounts for the increase.

Analysts say part of the problem is not only higher car prices but “a lack of a widespread public charging infrastructure” and the fact that the cars have no back-up power source, the Times reports.

While electric vehicle sales are slow, hybrid vehicle sales are soaring. In the first half of 2012, hybrid sales have grown 381 percent.

WTOP’s Del Walters contributed to this report. Follow WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)