IRVINE, Calif.—Sales of electric cars surged to a record level in the fourth quarter of 2021, defying industry-wide inventory constrains and overall slow sales of new cars, according to a report released on Jan. 28 by Irvine-based Kelley Blue Book. According to the report, almost 148,000 electric vehicles sales occurred in 2021’s fourth quarter, a 72 percent jump over the fourth quarter of the previous year. The strong finish to the year gave electric vehicles an overall market share of 4.5 percent for the quarter, also a record. “The automotive marketplace continues to evolve and diversify more with each passing year,” Matt Degen, Kelley Blue Book editor, said in a statement. “Hybrids are now mainstream products, and more than a dozen new [electric vehicles] are slated to launch in 2022—including the much-anticipated and potentially high-volume Ford F-150 Lightning.” Though surveys show people consider electric cars too expernsive and have concerns …