Sales of zero-emission vehicles are still going strong in California

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The state of California has the most zero-emission vehicles in the US, and sales of this vehicle type are still going strong. Californians purchased just over 102,000 zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in the first three months of 2024. Another fact is that the state of California is on track to reach a total of two million ZEVs soon.

Unsurprisingly, California also has the largest number of public EV charging stations, with more to come.

In the US mainstream media and on social media, there is a fair amount of information, including misinformation and disinformation, attempting to claim that EVs are in “decline” due to some “problems” that may not actually be problems. The fact that their sales remain strong in the state where they are most common refutes the misinformation.

If sales of certain EV models are not doing so well, that is not the case with all EVs. If their sales in Alabama aren't strong, Kentucky, Wyoming or the Dakotas, it doesn't really matter. What matters are the sales where the largest numbers occur, because these form the primary trend.

The California Energy Commission answered some questions about ZEV sales in California for CleanTechnica.

California exceeded its targets for zero-emission truck and vehicle sales two years ahead of schedule, and met its target of 10,000 fast EV chargers over a year ahead of schedule. What made it possible for the state to get ahead of these types of goals?

Investments made through the CEC's Clean Transportation Program (CTP) and a host of other publicly funded efforts by the California Air Resources Board have helped keep the state ahead of schedule. First established in 2007, the CTP is one of the first transportation-focused financing efforts created to help advance the state's climate change policies. To date, $1.8 billion has been invested in projects supporting ZEV infrastructure, alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies. Another $1.9 billion awarded earlier this year.

The state is also approaching the 2 million zero-emission vehicle mark – is there an estimate of when that total will be reached?

The state expects to reach the 2 million ZEV vehicle mark end of this year or early next year.

Information about subsidies and rebates available to low-income Californians can be found at ClimateAction.ca.gov or ElectricForAll.org. Can you give a snapshot of what these subsidies and discounts are?

We encourage you to contact the California Air Resources Board for information regarding ZEV vehicle incentives and subsidies. Their media office can be reached at [email protected].

There are 105,000 public or shared private electric vehicle chargers installed across California, in addition to more than 500,000 home chargers. Approximately how many more public EV chargers will be installed in California over the next five years? 10?

Check out the latest Review AB 2127 For more information. Please note that this report projects the need, not the actual build-out. The funds approved in the latest update of the CTP investment plan will result in 40,000 new chargers statewide.

Is the governor's 2020 executive order calling for a rule requiring all new car sales to be zero-emission by 2035 still in effect?

Yes.