Hybrid vehicles outsold electric vehicles (EVs) in California during the first half of 2026, according to data provided by the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA).
Hybrid vehicles accounted for between 22% and 22.1% of vehicle registrations in the state during this period. Meanwhile, EV registrations stood at approximately 15.9% to 16%, representing roughly 137,430 units.
The shift toward hybrids is linked to the elimination of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit in the United States. Additionally, at least a dozen EV models departed the U.S. market this year, including the Ford F-150 Lightning, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Nissan Ariya, Volvo EX30, Volkswagen ID.4, and Honda Prologue.
Top Performing Models
The Tesla Model Y was the overall bestseller in California for the first half of 2026, with 54,327 units sold. It held an 8.4% share of the truck and SUV segment.
The Toyota Camry was the second best-selling vehicle, with sales ranging between 33,523 and 33,527 units. The Toyota Camry hybrid specifically made up 15.5% of passenger car sales in California in 2026.
Tesla Model Y sales in California during the first half of 2026
The Tesla Model 3 held 7.7% of the passenger car market. Overall, Toyota, Honda, and Tesla account for nearly 40% of new car registrations in California.
Manufacturer Registration Trends
In the first half of 2026, Tesla's registered car numbers in California dropped by 6.5% compared to the previous year, while Rivian saw a 28.3% decrease. In contrast, Lucid saw a 22.7% gain in registered vehicles.
By the second quarter of 2026, hybrid vehicles comprised approximately 25% of new-vehicle registrations. During that same quarter, the EV share rose to 17.8%, a 4% gain over the first quarter.
As of July 30, the average gasoline price in California was $5.65.
