In an impressive achievement, the State of California reported a groundbreaking milestone in its transition to a more sustainable automotive landscape. During the second quarter of 2023, an unprecedented 25% of new cars sold within the state were zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs), marking a momentous record for the region’s green transportation movement.
This remarkable accomplishment comes on the heels of California’s celebration of reaching 1.5 million cumulative ZEV vehicle sales in April, a feat achieved two years ahead of schedule. The accelerated adoption of electric vehicles underscores the profound shift towards eco-friendly transportation options within the state.
California’s progress in plug-in car sales also has a significant national impact. The state represents an impressive 34% of all new plug-in car sales across the United States, highlighting its leading role in driving sustainable transportation practices.
Data released by Veloz and the California Energy Commission (CEC) offer a deeper insight into the historic achievement. In the second quarter of 2023, a staggering 125,939 new ZEVs were sold in California, demonstrating a remarkable year-over-year growth of 59%. This impressive figure translates to 25.4% of the total car sales volume for the quarter. Comparatively, the entire United States witnessed a national sales record of approximately 370,409 ZEVs during the same period.
The breakdown of ZEV car sales during Q2 2023 is as follows:
California: 125,939 units (up 59% year-over-year; 25.4% share)
Cumulative ZEV sales since 2011: 1,623,211 (comprising 1,146,312 Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), 460,602 Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), and 16,297 Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs))
United States: 370,409 units
Cumulative ZEV sales since 2011: 3,916,106
Impressively, California is on track to exceed 450,000 ZEV sales for the entirety of 2023, with the potential to even cross the 500,000 mark, assuming a continued growth trajectory.
It’s important to recall that California has set ambitious targets for the coming years, aiming to have 5 million ZEVs on its roads by 2030 and transitioning to 100% zero-emission ZEV sales by 2035. As of now, the state boasts over 1.6 million ZEVs, with BEVs comprising the majority at over 1.1 million units.
Analyzing the data further, the California Energy Commission’s findings reveal that the top ZEV models in the first half of 2023 were primarily dominated by Tesla vehicles. The Tesla Model Y secured the top spot with 74,488 units sold, followed by the Tesla Model 3 with 41,430 units. The Jeep Wrangler 4xe, a plug-in hybrid, also gained prominence with 7,341 units sold, indicating growing interest in hybrid alternatives.
The rankings for top plug-in models during Q1-Q2 2023 were as follows:
Tesla Model Y: 74,488 units
Tesla Model 3: 41,430 units
Jeep Wrangler 4xe: 7,341 units
Chevrolet Bolt EUV: 7,082 units
Volkswagen ID.4: 5,902 units
Ford Mustang Mach-E: 5,071 units
Tesla Model X: 4,899 units
BMW i4: 4,598 units
Mercedes-Benz EQS: 4,375 units
Chevrolet Bolt EV: 4,210 units
The significant shift towards zero-emissions vehicles in California not only marks a pivotal moment for the state but also reflects a broader global trend towards sustainable transportation. With such impressive growth in ZEV adoption, California’s efforts are setting a compelling example for the rest of the world to follow in the transition to cleaner and greener mobility solutions.