In the opening quarter of 2025, California recorded 100,326 zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) purchases, accounting for 23% of all new vehicle sales statewide. While this represented a modest decline compared to the record-setting first quarter of 2024, the milestone came on the heels of California surpassing two million cumulative ZEV sales last year. Market dynamics shifted notably, with Tesla registrations falling 21.5% year-over-year, offset by a 14% increase in registrations from other electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers.
The diversity of offerings expanded sharply. Consumers could choose from 147 EV models in Q1 2025, up from 105 a year earlier. This broader selection coincided with a strengthening charging infrastructure, a factor the California Air Resources Board (CARB) notes as central to consumer confidence. Over 30% of all new ZEVs sold in the United States were purchased in California during the period.
Nationally, EV sales grew 11.4% year-over-year in Q1, according to Kelley Blue Book. The secondary market showed even stronger momentum, with Carvana reporting a 182% jump in used EV sales in 2024 compared to the prior year. California Energy Commission (CEC) Chair David Hochschild emphasized the accessibility of charging infrastructure, stating, “Today, 94% of Californians live within 10 minutes of an EV charger. The Energy Commission is deploying funds to further expand the state’s charger network and ensure that EV charging is reliable, affordable and accessible to all Californians.”
CARB Chair Liane Randolph underscored the resilience of the clean vehicle market despite slower growth. “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. The data shows nearly 1 in 4 new car shoppers are still choosing zero-emission models which is encouraging given current economic uncertainty,” she said. Randolph pointed to the breadth of new offerings, from SUVs to sedans, and stressed that “zero-emission vehicles are the future internationally because they’re fast, fun and cheaper to fuel and maintain. America will not be left behind.”
Policy challenges have emerged alongside market developments. California recently joined a multi-state lawsuit contesting actions by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to withhold billions in congressionally approved funding for EV infrastructure. State officials estimate the decision could strip California of more than $300 million, eliminate thousands of jobs, and slow ZEV deployment. Hochschild addressed the stakes at a press conference, stating, “The leading cause of air pollution in the state of California is from the transportation sector. The innovation we’re seeing in the electric vehicle space is good for many things, but most importantly, it is good for public health…It’s imperative we finish the job.”
California’s infrastructure push remains aggressive. More than 178,000 public or shared private charging ports have been installed statewide, supplemented by over 700,000 home charging units. Financial incentives, including grants and rebates worth thousands of dollars, target low-income buyers to broaden adoption. State agencies are accelerating charger deployment by streamlining permitting, coordinating with utilities to manage grid impacts, and prioritizing shovel-ready projects eligible for both state and federal incentives.
The Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Plan is under development to align deployment strategies with California’s long-term ZEV goals. Efforts include refining transportation energy forecasts, improving data collection on charger availability, and directing investments toward underserved and remote areas. These measures reflect the state’s commitment to dismantling barriers to adoption and ensuring equitable access to clean transportation technologies.
The California Energy Commission, as the state’s primary energy policy and planning body, continues to integrate transportation transformation into its broader mandate, which spans renewable energy development, energy efficiency, and preparedness for energy emergencies. Its role in advancing ZEV infrastructure underscores the technical and policy interplay driving California’s position as the national leader in zero-emission mobility.