13 Auto Brands Saw Increasing EV Sales in California in 1st Half of 2025 - CleanTechnica

In the first half of 2025, California's electric vehicle (EV) market—the largest in the U.S. and among the biggest globally—saw notable shifts in brand sales rankings. Tesla, historically dominant, dropped from second place in 2024 to third in 2025, losing nearly 20,000 sales year-over-year, a 20% decline. Despite this, Tesla maintains a substantial lead in zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales, making it unlikely for competitors to catch up soon. Behind Tesla, BMW currently holds second place, followed closely by Hyundai and Chevrolet, with Ford attempting to climb into the top tier. Among other automakers, 13 brands experienced sales increases, driven largely by new popular models from Chevrolet, Honda, and Acura. Nissan, Porsche, GMC, BMW, and Volvo also saw significant gains. Conversely, 12 brands, including Kia, Mercedes, Rivian, Audi, Volkswagen, Lexus, and Hyundai, faced notable sales declines.