California has surpassed 2.5 million zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales, according to state officials. The milestone was highlighted by California Energy Commissioner Nancy Skinner, who said, “No state in the union can match California’s five-year growth in ZEV sales. This serves as a reminder of how far we’ve come thanks to historic levels of state investment and Californians’ strong demand for clean cars. Each quarter, even in the face of increasing federal headwinds, tens of thousands of consumers are purchasing a ZEV in the Golden State, enjoying a great driving experience, and knowing they never have to go to a gas station again.”
Lauren Sanchez, Chair of the California Air Resources Board, commented on recent federal policy changes: “While the federal government reversed and put up roadblocks, the global zero-emission vehicle market surged ahead last year. Governor Newsom’s new rebate proposal sends a clear message: California isn’t slowing down, we’re still leading the pack. It’s not just about clean air, it’s smart economic policy.”
In the fourth quarter of 2025, Californians bought 79,066 new ZEVs. These accounted for 18.9% of all new car sales in the state during that period. This occurred after federal incentives for ZEVs ended on September 30, 2025—a change that led to a drop in national ZEV sales from 10.5% in Q3 to 5.8% in Q4 based on data from Cox Automotive.
State officials attribute California’s leadership in clean transportation and energy technology to targeted policies and investments over several years. The state is also recognized as a leader in solar energy and battery storage.
Governor Newsom’s preliminary budget announced on January 9 includes a proposed $200 million incentive program aimed at supporting the ZEV market and American auto innovation amid ongoing uncertainty at the federal level. Officials say these incentives are important for keeping ZEVs affordable and accessible.
Despite challenges following the end of federal incentives, consumer interest remained high with 149 different ZEV models available in California during Q4 of 2025.
California has expanded its charging infrastructure significantly; there are now more than 200,000 public and shared private EV charging stations across the state. Public chargers are located at grocery stores and other common destinations while shared chargers serve apartment complexes and workplaces. Additionally, an estimated 800,000 home EV chargers have been installed statewide.
The Clean Transportation Program Investment Plan Update from the California Energy Commission (CEC) allocated $98.5 million for light-duty ZEV infrastructure funding for fiscal year 2025-2026. Much of this funding will likely support Level 1 and Level 2 charging solutions at locations where vehicles remain parked for extended periods—such as multifamily residences.
The CEC plans further studies this year to assess infrastructure needs under Assembly Bill (AB) 2127 and Senate Bill (SB) 1000 mandates.
The California Energy Commission serves as the state’s main agency for energy policy and planning with responsibilities including advancing energy policy goals, encouraging efficiency measures, certifying power plants, investing in innovation projects, developing renewable resources like solar power, transforming transportation systems toward cleaner options such as ZEVs, and preparing for potential energy emergencies.
