For Immediate Release: Oct. 13, 2025
SACRAMENTO – today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that Californians purchased 124,755 zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in the third quarter of 2025, representing 29.1% of new car sales, the highest quarterly sales share ever reported in California.Despite the numerous setbacks to the ZEV industry brought about by the federal administration, californians made it clear they want to drive ZEVs.”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 Trump 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. “The work and investments by the California Energy commission (CEC),and its agency and industry partners,to expand the state’s network of EV chargers has resulted in nearly every Californian living within 10 minutes of an EV fast charger. Now, new EV owners can enjoy a great driving experience bidding goodbye to smelly gas stations, messy oil changes, and costly engine tune-ups.”
“While the federal government stumbles backward with reckless rollbacks and short-sighted policies, California charges ahead lighting the path to a cleaner, more prosperous future,” said California Air Resources Board Chair Lauren Sanchez. “From pioneering clean transportation in the 1970s to becoming the world’s 4th largest economy today, we’ve proven time and again that protecting air quality and the climate isn’t just the right thing to do, its smart economic policy.”
California Accelerates Zero-Emission Vehicle Adoption with Expanded Charging Infrastructure and Incentives
California is substantially expanding its electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and financial assistance programs to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEV), particularly for low-income residents and in underserved communities. Recent initiatives focus on overcoming barriers to EV adoption and building a robust charging network across the state.
Expanding Charging Infrastructure
The state has allocated over $10 million in grants to build more than 1,000 Level 2 EV charging ports. A key focus of these grants is deployment in low-income,disadvantaged,and affordable multifamily housing complexes,addressing a critical need for accessible charging options in these areas.
California currently boasts over 200,000 publicly accessible EV charging stations statewide, found in locations like grocery stores, park-and-ride lots, and even gas stations. Additionally,shared chargers are increasingly available at apartment complexes,workplaces,medical facilities,and sports venues. This public network complements the estimated 800,000 EV chargers already installed in single-family homes.
Financial Assistance for ZEV Purchases
Low-income Californians have access to grants and rebates of thousands of dollars to help with the purchase of zevs. Details on these programs can be found at ClimateAction.ca.gov and ElectricForAll.org.
Targeting Underserved Areas
California is actively working to address inequities in ZEV access by deploying infrastructure in hard-to-reach and low-income areas. This commitment aims to ensure all Californians benefit from the transition to cleaner transportation.
California as a Leader in EV infrastructure
The state’s efforts are positioning California as a leader in EV infrastructure development. While federal incentives are contributing to increased ZEV sales, California is proactively making it easier for residents to become EV drivers through expanded infrastructure and financial support.
about the California Energy commission
The California Energy Commission is the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency. Its core responsibilities include advancing state energy policy, encouraging energy efficiency, investing in energy innovation, developing renewable energy, transforming transportation, and preparing for energy emergencies.