California EV Sales Slump Amid Policy Shifts

0:00California's push for all new car sales to be elected by 2035 is facing some serious bumps. A fresh report from the California New Car Dealers Association reveals zero emission vehicles grab just 13.7% of the market in the first quarter. That's a sharp drop from 21% for all of last year, the lowest share since late 2021 with total EV registrations plunging over 40% year over year. According to the slowdown, overall new vehicle registrations in the state felt 8.9% from last year outpacing the nationwide drop of 4.6%. Experts point fingers at federal policy shifts under the Trump administration, which acts the $7,500 tax credit for EV. Buyers back in September enrolled back fuel economy standards. That move also stripped California's power to enforce zero emission vehicle mandates on automakers. Even Elkin from UC Berkeley Law says without penalties or incentives, car makers have

1:00zero reason to push EV's hard, slowing the state's green, ambitions big time. But it's not all doom advances in battery tech and cheap competition from China could slash prices soon and spark a rebound. Meanwhile, hybrids are exploding with over 80,000 sold last quarter hitting more than 20% market share, nearly topping last. Buyers crave the gas savings of electrics, but worry about charging access in lifestyleshifts, so hybrids offer that sweet middle ground. Still, as global EV floods hit our shores, California's all-electric dream might just charge back stronger than ever. You've been listening to California News today, AI Power Local News.