California's EV Spark: ZEV Sales Grow Despite Federal Incentive Freeze

TL;DR: California ain't playin' around when it comes to electric vehicles! Even after federal EV incentives dried up in Q4 2025, the Golden State still saw its zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales climb, hitting over 2.5 million cumulative units. It's like a party, and California didn't even need Uncle Sam to chip in for the snacks to keep the good times rollin'!

Meta: California's zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales continued to grow in Q4 2025, surpassing 2.5 million cumulative units, despite the expiration of federal EV incentives, highlighting the state's strong policy support and consumer demand.

Alright, alright, settle down now! While some parts of the country might be pumpin' the brakes on EV adoption, California's out here doing the electric slide! The California Energy Commission (CEC) just dropped some numbers hotter than a summer day in Palm Springs: the state passed 2.5 million cumulative new zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales in 2025. And get this: they kept that momentum going in Q4, even after all those federal EV incentives packed up and left on September 30, 2025.

Golden State Green Wave

While national ZEV sales stumbled a bit in Q4, falling from 10.5% to 5.8% of new vehicles, California's ZEVs made up a solid 18.9% of all new car sales in the state. That's a powerful statement, telling us that California's mix of state policies, incentives, and good old-fashioned consumer demand is keeping that electric engine humming. As Commissioner Nancy Skinner put it, 'No state in the union can match California’s five-year growth in ZEV sales.' They're not just selling cars; they're selling a lifestyle, and it's catching on like wildfire!

Governor Gavin Newsom ain't letting up either. He's proposing a new $200 million incentive program to keep that EV demand sizzling, especially with federal support doing its disappearing act. It's not just about clean air; it's smart economics, baby! With 149 ZEV models available in Q4, buyers have more choices than ever. It's like walkin' into a candy store, but all the candy is electric!

Charging Ahead

And where do all these electric rides get their juice? California's on it! The state now boasts over 200,000 public and shared private EV charging stations, plus an estimated 800,000 home chargers. They're not slowing down either, earmarking another $98.5 million for light-duty ZEV infrastructure in fiscal year 2025-26. They're particularly focused on Level 1 and Level 2 charging, especially for apartment dwellers. It's all about making sure everyone can plug in, no matter where they live.

What’s Next

California's continued ZEV growth and proactive state-level incentives will be a critical model for other regions, especially as federal support fluctuates. Expect the state to continue its robust investment in charging infrastructure, with a focus on equitable deployment and supporting various housing types. The ongoing assessments of charging supply and demand will guide future strategies.

So, if you're lookin' for a place where electric is the future, and the future is now, head to California! They're still leading the charge, incentives or no incentives. And that's no cap!