Net-zero emissions

California continues to expand electric vehicle adoption even as the Trump administration works to slow the national EV transition. Federal actions have eliminated the $7,500 EV tax credit, rescinded the endangerment finding underpinning vehicle emissions regulation under the Clean Air Act, revoked California's authority to set stricter-than-federal emissions standards, and overturned the state's EV sales mandate. The administration also froze funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, though a federal judge ruled that freeze unlawful.

Despite a national sales slowdown following the loss of the federal rebate, California's EV sales share held up: about 19% of new car sales in the state were zero-emission vehicles in the second quarter of 2025, nearly three times the national rate. Roughly 1 in 12 vehicles on California roads are now zero-emission. The state also led the nation in new fast-charging stations added last quarter and now has more public chargers than gas pumps. California is currently defending its 2035 gas-car sales ban in court, a case that could determine the future pace of its emissions strategy.