California Alt-Fuel Car Sales Remixed
Zero-emission models take a hit, including Tesla’s, while hybrids take off.

Tesla continues to lose market share in California, where zero-emission vehicle sales in general have fallen so far this year.
Pexels/Kindel Media
California, which leads the U.S. in electric-vehicle sales, saw a continued decline in Tesla brand deliveries in the second quarter.
The EV maker, founded in the Golden State before moving to Texas in 2021, had a seventh straight quarter of sales declines there, said the California New Car Dealers Association, citing Experian Automotive data.
The U.S. EV market leader’s California sales fell 18% year-over-year in the first six months of 2025, or a 2.7-point market share drop, according to the Experian numbers. The decline has led a decrease in zero-emission vehicle sales share in the state so far this year from 22% to about 20%.
California had been on track to ban sales of gas-powered vehicles in 2035 by requiring all new-vehicle sales to be zero-emission models, but in May Congress killed Environmental Protection Agency waivers that would have enabled the change. The state has sued the Trump administration in an effort to reverse the decision.
“Dealers are focused on what Californians are buying, not just what policymakers want them to buy,” said CNCDA Chairman and Camino Real Chevrolet President Robb Hernandez in a press release on the data. “It’s clear many consumers still face barriers to going fully electric, whether that’s due to affordability, lack of infrastructure, or range anxiety.”
Hybrid vehicle sales have skyrocketed in the state this year, rising 54% year-over-year and achieving a 19% market share. When sales of all alternative-fuel vehicles – hybrid, purely electric, and fuel-cell – are added up, they comprise 43% of the state’s new-vehicle market, according to the Experian data.
LEARN MORE: Prius Celebrates Silver U.S. Anniversary
More Industry

EV Consideration Climbs
Despite the loss of federal EV incentives, interest has grown in the U.S., largely thanks to charging infrastructure improvements.
Read More →
August Auto Angst
The hot month brought hot-to-the-touch vehicle prices in the U.S. as consumers dived for more affordable models but found higher price tags to go with them.
Read More →
Arizona Stores in New Hands
The two franchises bring continued growth for a homegrown automotive group in its third generation of family ownership.
Read More →
Two New Rides Earn Safety Awards
Thanks to vehicle redesigns, two more vehicles have earned IIHS’ Top Safety Pick+ award that builds on the criteria of the lower Top Safety Pick award.
Read More →
How A Simple Phone Call Can Cause a Dealership Data Breach
Despite the sophisticated techniques fraudsters often employ today to gain access to dealerships’ valuable information, they sometimes use a somewhat old-fashioned approach.
Read More →
Texas Rooftop Gets New Owner, Name
Family-owned Lumos Auto Group acquired Acura of the Rio Grande Valley from Bill Bird and will operate the dealership as Lumos Acura.
Read More →
Hyundai Feeling Electric
As the automaker looks to the balance of the decade, it plans to significantly boost its electrified powertrain lineup, including more hybrids and its first extended-range EVs.
Read More →
Dealer Debrief: Luxury Brands are Losing Ground
The quality gap between luxury and mass-market auto brands is narrowing. Today, Lauren is discussing why.
Read More →
August Auto Sales a Mixed Bag
An early forecast shows strong business despite consumer hurdles, and hybrids are a big piece of their affordability coping strategy.
Read More →
Longtime Ford Store Changes Hands
The Virginia dealership joins a small area automotive group in a one-dealership transaction, moving from one family franchisee to another.
Read More →