Nearly 20 percent of new cars sold in California in 2022 will be electric or hybrid, the state said Friday, the country’s leading auto market keen to be at the forefront of the energy transition.
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In August, the state regulator announced the ban on the sale of new diesel or gasoline cars from 2035.
“California continues to lead the zero-emission vehicle revolution with forward-thinking policies and investments that drive innovation,” said Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.
On Friday, the California Energy Commission announced that 18.8% of new cars sold in 2022 were electric, plug-in hybrid, or fuel cell vehicles. Ten years ago it was 2%.
The Tesla brand, managed by Elon Musk, alone benefits from two-thirds of these sales.
California accounts for 40% of sales of this type of vehicle in the United States, and its market share is growing rapidly. The largest American manufacturers are now present there, also with models adapted to the local market, such as electric pick-ups.
However, EVs remain more expensive than internal combustion engine ones, and only government support of up to $7,500 allows many buyers to afford them.