California has reached a new milestone in zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales, with nearly one-third of all new vehicles sold in the state now classified as clean cars. Governor Gavin Newsom commented on the achievement, stating, “This is unprecedented – we’re nearing a third of all new vehicles sold in the fourth largest economy on the planet being clean cars. 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.”
Nancy Skinner, California Energy Commissioner, emphasized the significance of this progress and its implications for national policy. “This is a defining moment for California’s ZEV progress and sends a clear message to Washington: ZEVs are here to stay,” she said. Skinner also highlighted efforts by the California Energy Commission (CEC) and partners to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure: “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.”
Lauren Sanchez, Chair of the California Air Resources Board, contrasted state policies with those at the federal level: “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. 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, it’s smart economic policy.”
The variety of ZEV models available in California continues to grow; there were 146 models offered in Q1 2025 compared with 105 models during Q1 last year. In Q3 alone, Californians purchased 124,755 ZEVs—of which 108,685 were EVs—marking a nearly 30% increase over Q2 sales.
On October 8th this year, California became the first U.S. state to adopt regulations focused on reliability and reporting for EV chargers. These rules aim to improve reliability for publicly funded fast chargers statewide while ensuring accurate operational data collection.
During its October business meeting—the same day these regulations were adopted—the CEC approved two projects under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program that will add 64 fast chargers along major highways across California. The commission also agreed on two grants for repairing or installing fast chargers at existing sites where some units are currently non-operational.
Additionally, three grants totaling over $10 million will fund construction of more than 1,000 Level 2 charging ports throughout low-income or affordable multifamily housing complexes statewide.
Financial assistance remains available for low-income residents seeking ZEV ownership through various grants and rebates accessible via ClimateAction.ca.gov or ElectricForAll.org.
Currently there are over 200,000 publicly accessible EV charging stations distributed across locations such as grocery stores and park-and-ride lots as well as shared-use options at workplaces or apartment complexes. This public infrastructure supplements an estimated additional 800,000 home-based chargers installed at single-family residences.
The CEC continues working toward faster deployment of ZEV infrastructure particularly targeting underserved communities throughout California.
