California Blows A Big Fat EV Sales Raspberry At The Haters - CleanTechnica

In the second quarter of 2025, zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) accounted for 21.6% of all new vehicle sales in California, with over 100,000 ZEVs newly registered, according to the California Energy Commission (CEC). This strong performance highlights continued consumer interest in electric vehicles (EVs) despite broader national skepticism and negative perceptions influenced by political figures and recent Tesla-related controversies. The CEC’s report serves as a counterpoint to narratives suggesting a decline in EV sales, underscoring California’s leadership in the transition to cleaner transportation. However, recent research published in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications reveals challenges facing the EV market, particularly linked to Tesla’s brand reputation. The study found that while many consumers remain interested in EVs, liberals showed declining intentions to purchase Teslas specifically, and to a lesser extent, EVs overall. This effect is compounded by a notable gender gap in EV ownership: men dominate EV ownership and shopping, while women—who