As predicted, US EV sales mushroomed prior to the expiration of the federal tax credits. Will sales now crater sans credits? That remains to be seen, but for now, California’s EV market share has surged to a European-style level, and the state continues to take measures to keep the EV transition going.
In the third quarter of 2025, “zero-emission vehicles” (as defined by the California Energy Commission) accounted for 29.1% of new car sales, the highest quarterly sales share ever recorded in the state.
Now, the CEC’s definition of ZEVs is a little different than the one the rest of us use—it includes both battery EVs and plug-in hybrids. If we de-hype their figures, we find that battery EVs achieved a 25% market share in the 3rd quarter (and 21% year-to-date). That’s still a record, and still impressive. We also find that EVs are soundly outselling PHEVs (277,444 vs 48,085 YTD). (Yes, fuel cell vehicles are still around, but only in trace amounts—239 have been sold YTD.)
“This is unprecedented – we’re nearing a third of all new vehicles sold in the fourth largest economy on the planet being clean cars,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “We’re setting new records because this state believes in innovation, not isolation. While [the federal government] sells out American innovation to China, California will keep charging ahead on our path to a future of cleaner air.”
“This is a defining moment for California’s ZEV progress and sends a clear message to Washington: ZEVs are here to stay,” said California Energy Commissioner Nancy Skinner.
Other stats back up Ms. Skinner’s assertion: In Q1 of this year, there were 146 ZEV models available in the state, compared to 105 models in Q1 of last year. The CEC says there are over 200,000 publicly accessible EV charging stations statewide, and an estimated 800,000 private EV chargers at single-family homes.
California continues to work to improve the state’s EV charging network. In October, the state adopted new EV charger reliability and reporting regulations, and the CEC approved two National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program projects that will build out 64 fast chargers along key highway corridors. CEC also approved three grants totaling more than $10 million, to build out more than 1,000 Level 2 EV charging ports, the majority in low-income, disadvantaged, or affordable multifamily housing complexes.
Source: California Energy Commission
