The sale of zero-emission vehicles in California dropped 2.6% in the first quarter of this year compared to the first three months of 2024.
But at least one auto industry analyst said the numbers could have been much worse — given the uncertainty swirling around tariffs and the political rancor aimed at Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, the largest electric vehicle maker in the country.
Related Articles
Senate GOP leaders will try to block California vehicle standards that would phase out gas-powered cars Honda pulls back on EV strategy for now and will push hybrid sales Oakland airport adds zero-emission shuttle buses to fleet Autonomous vehicle company Waymo cleared to operate in San Jose San Jose-based Archer Aviation’s electric air taxis to ferry fans and VIPs to venues at 2028 LA OlympicsAnd California policymakers insist the state’s aggressive goals to transition from internal combustion vehicles remain on track.
“California’s clean vehicle market continues to show strong sales, and we are undeterred by this period of limited growth which is a normal, anticipated part of the technology adoption cycle,” California Air Resources Board chair Liane Randolph said in a statement.
The California Energy Commission reported 100,326 registrations in the first three months of this year for zero-emission vehicles, or ZEVs, which the state defines as all-electric, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. That’s down from 103,018 units sold in the first quarter of 2024.
It also marks the third consecutive quarter in which ZEV sales in the Golden State have declined.
The numbers are “very flat,” said Ivan Drury, senior manager of auto insights at Edmunds.com. “But all things considered still rather remarkable, given how much turmoil there is in play when it comes to how people are doing economically, politically and just all of the feelings in general that people have.”
Lower ZEV sales were driven by a 21.5% drop in registrations for Tesla vehicles.
Musk campaigned for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election and ramped up his political profile by taking charge of the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency , or DOGE. Musk has made himself a lightning rod, with opponents of the policies of Trump and Musk taking their ire out on the Tesla brand.
Responding to criticism that he was spreading himself too thin, Musk last month said, “I’ll be allocating far more of my time to Tesla,” and spending fewer hours at DOGE.
Despite the downturn, the Tesla Model Y remained the best-selling ZEV in California in the first three months of the year, with 20,547 registrations. The Tesla Model 3 still came in second with 13,391.
State officials took a glass-half-full approach to the first quarter numbers.
“The data shows Californians are still buying ZEVs in significant numbers,” energy commission chair David Hochschild said, adding that 94% of Golden State residents live within 10 minutes of electric vehicle charger.
Registrations for electric vehicles by carmakers besides Tesla grew 14% in the first quarter and made up more than half of all ZEVs sold in the state.
Potential consumers can now choose from any of 147 zero-emission models, up from 105 compared to the same time last year.
“The road to electrification in California is no longer being driven by a single brand — it’s being paved by choice,” said a news release from Veloz, a public-private nonprofit that works with the state to meet California’s zero-emission vehicle goals.
Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order five years ago that mandates the elimination of sales of all new gasoline-powered passenger vehicles in California by 2035. And next year, the first of a series of state-imposed targets will start rolling out.
Under standards passed by the Air Resources Board, at least 35% of model year 2026 passenger cars and trucks sold in the state must be electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The numbers ramp up each year, going to 68% in 2030 and 100% by 2035.
At the same time, the latest iteration of the federal budget bill crafted by House Republicans on Capitol Hill would largely phase out the tax break of up to $7,500 for buyers of electric vehicles by the end of this year, reducing the financial incentive for consumers to buy ZEVs.
In addition, the House — with 35 Democrats joining Republicans — passed a measure earlier this month that would repeal a longstanding federal waiver that allows California to enact vehicle emissions standards that are stricter than federal requirements. The Senate is expected to cast its own vote later this month.
“If anybody has a chance of making their goal, it will be California,” Drury said. “But it’s going to be rocky for a while.”
A coalition of groups called Calibrate, which includes the California New Car Dealers Association, wants the state to pause its ZEV mandate, saying the annual targets through 2035 are unrealistic.
But state officials have shown no inclination toward making alterations.
California earlier this month joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Federal Highway Administration and the Trump administration from withholding billions of dollars to expand electric vehicle infrastructure.
“The innovation we’re seeing in the electric vehicle space is good for many things, but most importantly, it is good for public health,” Hochschild said. “It’s imperative we finish the job.”
Top 5 Selling ZEVs in California
First quarter, 2025
Tesla Model Y 20,547 Tesla Model 3 13,391 Honda Prologue 3,489 Hyundai IONIQ 5 3,222 Ford Mustang Mach-E 2,771Source: Veloz/California Energy Commission
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Sales of zero-emission vehicles in California slow down )
Also on site :