SACRAMENTO, United States, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- California has sold more than 2.5 million zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), marking a major step toward cutting transportation-related pollution, state officials announced Tuesday.
The state recorded 79,066 new ZEV sales in the fourth quarter of 2025, accounting for 18.9 percent of all new car sales, according to the California Energy Commission. ZEVs include battery electric, plug-in hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles that produce no tailpipe emissions.
Cumulative ZEV sales have grown over 300 percent since 2019, supported by state policies, incentives, and a network of more than 200,000 public and private charging stations. Transportation contributes over half of California's greenhouse gas emissions and 28 percent of total U.S. emissions. Globally, transport accounts for roughly 16 percent of greenhouse gases.
"Thanks to historic state investment and strong consumer demand, Californians are driving clean cars at record levels," Energy Commissioner Nancy Skinner said. The milestone comes as the state implements Advanced Clean Cars II, which mandates that 100 percent of new passenger vehicle sales be zero-emission by 2035 and aims to halve vehicle greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
Despite the end of federal EV tax credits in September 2025, California maintained nearly 19 percent market share, while nationwide ZEV sales fell to 5.8 percent. Governor Gavin Newsom proposed a state incentive program worth 200 million U.S. dollars to sustain growth. And Air Resources Board Chair Lauren Sanchez observed, "California isn't slowing down, we're still leading the pack." ■