The California auto market is the largest in the United States and serves as a bellwether for the rest of the country. As a result, the state’s transition to ZEVs is having a major impact on the overall trend in the US auto market.

With 18.8% of all new cars sold in California being ZEVs, it’s clear that the demand for electric and hybrid vehicles is growing rapidly. The state’s dominance in the ZEV market, with 40% of all ZEVs sold in the US purchased in California, is driving the wider adoption of clean energy vehicles nationwide.

As California continues to set the standard for the rest of the country, it’s likely that the trend towards ZEVs will continue to gain momentum in the coming years.

The California Energy Commission has released new data showing the state’s rapid transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs).

In 2022, 18.8% of all new cars sold in California were ZEVs, representing a 38% increase from the previous year and a 138% increase from 2020. This is significantly higher than the national average, with ZEV sales accounting for only 5.8% of all car sales in the US.

The state saw 345,818 ZEV sales in 2022 alone, with a cumulative total of 1,399,913 ZEV sales to date. This dominance is reflected in the fact that 40% of all ZEVs sold in the US are sold in California, according to estimates from Veloz.

In addition, California has also made significant investments in supporting the transition to ZEVs.

There are currently 80,027 shared electric vehicle chargers installed in the state, both public and shared private.

Low-income Californians can also benefit from up to $9,500 in grants and rebates available to assist with the purchase of a ZEV. These efforts demonstrate the state’s commitment to promoting clean energy and reducing its carbon footprint.

The state’s commitment to promoting clean energy is demonstrated by the recent approval of a $2.9 billion investment plan by the California Energy Commission to accelerate the state’s 2025 electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refueling goals.

In November, the California Air Resources Board approved a $2.6 billion investment plan to support a range of ZEV projects, with 70% of the funds directed towards disadvantaged and low-income communities – marking the state’s largest-ever investment in the equitable expansion of clean transportation.

Furthermore, California is set to receive $384 million in federal funding from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program to install charging stations throughout the state.

This support has resulted in the success of the state’s programs, making ZEVs a top export and spurring major advances in manufacturing and job creation. Currently, California is home to 55 ZEV and ZEV-related manufacturers and leads the nation in ZEV manufacturing jobs.

While this is anecdotal but nearly everyone who has made the switch to a EV has remarked about how much better their commuting and driving experience has been since.

Most people will appreciate a smoother, quieter ride and, of course, they can also enjiy some smugness for contributing to less pollution in the city and environment they live in.