{"id":78735,"date":"2026-01-20T18:13:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T02:13:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=78735"},"modified":"2026-01-20T18:13:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T02:13:28","slug":"at-world-economic-forum-governor-newsom-announces-california-shattered-clean-car-goal-surpassing-2-5m-zev-sales-despite-trumps-chaos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=78735","title":{"rendered":"At World Economic Forum, Governor Newsom announces California shattered clean car goal, surpassing 2.5M ZEV sales despite Trump\u2019s chaos"},"content":{"rendered":"

Market proves resilient, reflecting decades of strategic state investment<\/em><\/h3>\n

What you need to know:\u00a0<\/strong>At the World Economic Forum, Governor Newsom is showcasing California as proof that stable climate policy drives economic results. The Golden State shattered its clean cars goal. During the fourth quarter of 2025, Californians purchased 79,066 new zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), representing 18.9% of new car sales. During this timeframe, California surpassed 2.5 million new ZEV sales, a huge milestone for the state\u2014 showing that policy certainty creates resilient markets global investors can trust.<\/p>\n

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0During his visit to the World Economic Forum, Governor Gavin Newsom is making the case for California as a stable market amid federal chaos\u2014announcing that the Golden State\u00a0surpassed<\/a>\u00a02.5 million cumulative new zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales, and far exceeding the state\u2019s original goal of 1.5 million ZEVs on the road by 2025.<\/p>\n

This achievement reflects decades of consistent state leadership that provided market certainty and created a resilient foundation that continues to drive ZEV sales and the world 4th-largest economy despite the Trump administration\u2019s efforts to derail our clean transportation future.<\/p>\n

\u201cCalifornia didn’t reach 2.5 million zero-emission vehicles by accident\u2014we invested in this future when others said it was impossible. While Washington now cedes the global clean vehicle market to China, California is ensuring American workers and manufacturers can compete and win in the industries that will define this century.” Governor Gavin Newsom<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Since the end of 2019, cumulative new ZEV sales in California alone have grown over 300%, driven by effective clean transportation policy and various ZEV incentives. The milestone cements the Golden State’s position as the undisputed national leader in clean transportation and proves that consumer demand for EVs remains strong despite federal headwinds.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo state in the union can match California\u2019s five-year growth in ZEV sales,\u201d\u00a0said California Energy Commissioner Nancy Skinner.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cThis serves as a reminder of how far we\u2019ve come thanks to historic levels of state investment and Californians\u2019 strong demand for clean cars. Each quarter, even in the face of increasing federal headwinds, tens of thousands of consumers are purchasing a ZEV in the Golden State, enjoying a great driving experience, and knowing they never have to go to a gas station again.\u201d<\/p>\n

This remarkable growth has also driven the state\u2019s commitment to building a robust ZEV infrastructure network.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile the federal government reversed and put up roadblocks, the global zero-emission vehicle market surged ahead last year,\u201d\u00a0said California Air Resources Board Chair Lauren Sanchez.<\/strong>\u00a0“Governor Newsom\u2019s new rebate proposal sends a clear message: California isn\u2019t slowing down, we\u2019re still leading the pack. It\u2019s not just about clean air, it\u2019s smart economic policy.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

ZEV market demonstrates resilience despite federal policy reversal\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

During the fourth quarter of 2025, Californians purchased 79,066 new ZEVs, representing 18.9% of new car sales\u2014even after federal tax credits expired on September 30. Ahead of that expiration, sales surged in the third quarter of 2025\u2014accounting for 29.1% of new car sales\u2014likely softening sales in the fourth quarter as a result. While the loss of federal support triggered a\u00a0nationwide decline<\/a>\u00a0in EV sales nationwide\u2014from 10.5% in Q3 to 5.8% in Q4, according to Cox Automotive\u2014California’s market proved far more resilient.<\/p>\n

This resilience reflects a market turning point. After decades of strategic state investment in charging infrastructure, consumer incentives, and manufacturer standards, California has built a strong, mature, resilient\u00a0ZEV ecosystem grounded in policy certainty and sustained investment. Consumers are buying electric vehicles in part because the technology works, the vehicles perform, and the charging infrastructure continues to grow rapidly.<\/p>\n

Despite the setbacks from the federal government, sales were still strong in Q4. With 149 ZEV models available in California in Q4 of 2025, consumers are buoyed by the diversity in the ZEV market. Not only do ZEVs produce zero tailpipe pollution, but they are also fun and powerful to drive, and cost less to operate and maintain compared to gas-powered vehicles. Find the right vehicle for you at\u00a0ElectricForAll.org<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

California doubles down on clean transportation investments<\/strong><\/h2>\n

California is doubling down on its clean transportation leadership. In his January 9 budget, Governor Newsom proposed a new $200 million incentive program to accelerate ZEV adoption and respond to the loss of the federal ZEV tax credit, while supporting American automotive innovation at a critical moment\u2014just as the Trump administration has abandoned the good-paying jobs of this global market. Less than a year in office, Donald Trump has\u00a0driven away<\/a>\u00a0the United States\u2019 second-largest trading partner, pushing Canada toward deeper economic ties with China while surrendering America\u2019s leadership in electric vehicle manufacturing.<\/p>\n

Competing to win the future\u00a0requires\u00a0<\/a>investing in clean energy technologies, strengthening partnerships with allies like Canada, and reducing dependence on China in critical sectors.<\/p>\n

Instead, the Trump administration repealed key parts of the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and imposed broad tariffs that have raised costs for American consumers while straining relationships with close allies. Despite Donald Trump\u2019s efforts to cede the clean energy economy to China, California is ensuring American workers and manufacturers can compete and win in the industries that will define this century.<\/p>\n

The Golden State\u2019s commitment extends beyond consumer incentives. In the latest\u00a0Clean Transportation Program Investment Plan Update<\/a>, the CEC allocated $98.5 million in light-duty zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure funding for fiscal year 2025-2026 to focus on Level 1 and Level 2 charging in locations with longer vehicle dwell times, including at-home charging with a specific focus on multifamily residences.<\/p>\n

The CEC is also continuing to study infrastructure needs across the state, with the following planned for release later this year:<\/p>\n