California surpassed 2.5 million cumulative new zero-emission vehicle sales in 2025, according to the California Energy Commission.

Since the end of 2019, cumulative new ZEV sales in California have grown more than 300%, supported by state transportation policy and incentive programs.

“No state can match California’s five-year growth in ZEV sales,” said California Energy Commissioner Nancy Skinner, in a Jan. 20 news release. “This reflects strong consumer demand and continued state investment.”

California Air Resources Board Chair Lauren Sanchez pointed to continued momentum despite shifting federal policy. “California isn’t slowing down,” Sanchez said. “State incentives remain an important tool for maintaining progress.”

Q4 Sales And State Incentives

During the fourth quarter of 2025, Californians purchased 79,066 new ZEVs, accounting for 18.9% of new-car sales. The results followed the end of federal ZEV incentives on Sept. 30, 2025, which contributed to a nationwide decline in ZEV sales.

National ZEV sales dropped to 5.8% in the fourth quarter, compared with 10.5% in the third quarter, according to Cox Automotive.

In Governor Gavin Newsom’s preliminary budget released Jan. 9, the state proposed a new $200 million incentive program to support EV adoption and affordability.

Despite the federal changes, California’s market continued to expand, with 149 ZEV models available in the state during Q4 2025.

Charging Infrastructure Expansion

California’s charging network has also grown. The state now has more than 200,000 public and shared private EV charging stations, located at sites such as grocery stores, workplaces, apartment complexes, and other parking areas.

That network is in addition to an estimated 800,000 chargers installed in homes statewide.

In its Clean Transportation Program Investment Plan Update, the CEC allocated $98.5 million for light-duty ZEV infrastructure funding in fiscal year 2025-2026. Future projects are expected to focus on Level 1 and Level 2 charging at locations with longer dwell times, including multifamily housing.

The CEC also plans to release additional infrastructure assessments later this year, including:

• New funding opportunities tied to the $98.5 million investment

• The third Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Assessment, required under Assembly Bill 2127

• The next Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Assessment, required under SB 1000