agent Entrepreneur logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

California Alt-Fuel Car Sales Remixed

Zero-emission models take a hit, including Tesla’s, while hybrids take off.

July 22, 2025
California Alt-Fuel Car Sales Remixed

Tesla continues to lose market share in California, where zero-emission vehicle sales in general have fallen so far this year.

Credit:

Pexels/Kindel Media

2 min to read


California, which leads the U.S. in electric-vehicle sales, saw a continued decline in Tesla brand deliveries in the second quarter.

The EV maker, founded in the Golden State before moving to Texas in 2021, had a seventh straight quarter of sales declines there, said the California New Car Dealers Association, citing Experian Automotive data.

Ad Loading...

The U.S. EV market leader’s California sales fell 18% year-over-year in the first six months of 2025, or a 2.7-point market share drop, according to the Experian numbers. The decline has led a decrease in zero-emission vehicle sales share in the state so far this year from 22% to about 20%.

California had been on track to ban sales of gas-powered vehicles in 2035 by requiring all new-vehicle sales to be zero-emission models, but in May Congress killed Environmental Protection Agency waivers that would have enabled the change. The state has sued the Trump administration in an effort to reverse the decision.

“Dealers are focused on what Californians are buying, not just what policymakers want them to buy,” said CNCDA Chairman and Camino Real Chevrolet President Robb Hernandez in a press release on the data. “It’s clear many consumers still face barriers to going fully electric, whether that’s due to affordability, lack of infrastructure, or range anxiety.”

Hybrid vehicle sales have skyrocketed in the state this year, rising 54% year-over-year and achieving a 19% market share. When sales of all alternative-fuel vehicles – hybrid, purely electric, and fuel-cell – are added up, they comprise 43% of the state’s new-vehicle market, according to the Experian data.

LEARN MORE: Prius Celebrates Silver U.S. Anniversary

 

More Industry

F&Iby Lauren LawrenceFebruary 27, 2026

Price Driving Insurance Churn

Over half of insurance holders ages 18 to 29 reported to be 'somewhat' likely to change providers in the next 90 days, according to CivicScience, which found that interest was lower among older age groups.

Read More →
Industryby Lauren LawrenceFebruary 26, 2026

AI Drives Dealer Website Traffic

Total visits to dealer websites from generative artificial intelligence platforms grew more than 15 times year-over-year, signaling a shift in how many consumers shop for cars online.

Read More →
Industryby Hannah MitchellFebruary 26, 2026

Automakers Tops in Fuel Economy

In the U.S., Honda has the most efficient gas-electrified combo lineup while Tesla beats all automakers in annual EPA ranking as brands built their alternative-fuel offerings.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
F&Iby Lauren LawrenceFebruary 25, 2026

Report Finds Year-End F&I Strength

Deal volume ebbed and flowed throughout 2025, but product performance remained steady, according to automotive technology and data intelligence solutions provider StoneEagle.

Read More →
Industryby Hannah MitchellFebruary 24, 2026

Overall Consumer Confidence Up

Americans’ view of present business conditions, the labor market and family finances, though, are still in the dumps, and if they plan to buy cars, many target used units.

Read More →
Auto Financeby Lauren LawrenceFebruary 23, 2026

Auto Loan Forecast Bucks Market Trend

Auto loan originations rose over 6% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2025, but TransUnion predicts a slight decline in auto loan growth this year, making it an outlier in the company's overall lending forecast.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
F&Iby Hannah MitchellFebruary 23, 2026

Some Auto Brands Cheaper to Insure

A new top 10 list ranks the least expensive for average full insurance coverage on a clean driving record and high driver credit scores.

Read More →
Industryby StaffFebruary 20, 2026

Learn to Manage the Mayhem at Agent Summit

Rob Mancuso – president of Mancuso Automotive – will present a Keynote at the 2026 event.

Read More →
Fixed Opsby Hannah MitchellFebruary 20, 2026

Auto Recalls Sank Last Year

2025 Sedgwick data indicate that the number of vehicles affected fell to its lowest point in more than a decade.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Industryby Lauren LawrenceFebruary 19, 2026

Affordability Leads Top-Rated List

Edmunds’ editorial team tested 300-plus vehicles to help determine the Top Rated Awards for 2026, and one brand stood out with multiple rankings, including Best of the Best.

Read More →