EV Registrations Rise in 26 States in Q1 as California Leads at 17.5%
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 2
EV Registrations Rise in 26 States in Q1 as California Leads at 17.5%
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 2
Summary
Twenty-six states posted higher EV registrations in the first quarter of 2026, with California leading the nation as plug-in models captured 17.5% of its new vehicle registrations.
U.S. EVs still made up just 6.3% of overall auto sales in Q1, down from 6.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025, even as higher gasoline prices pushed more shoppers to reconsider electric cars.
Washington and Nevada were the only other states above the 10% mark, at 15.2% and 11.6%, showing EV adoption remained concentrated in a small group of Western states.
California, Washington, Nevada, Oregon and Hawaii all ranked among the top five states for EV share, with state policies, charging investment and emissions goals continuing to shape the market.
With federal tax credits gone, are cheaper used models and new state incentives enough to keep the EV market growing?
As charging station growth fails to keep pace with new EVs, is America’s infrastructure ready for an electric future?
Q1 2026 U.S. EV Sales Drop Below 10%: Policy Expiry, Hybrid Surge, and Regional Contrasts
Overview
In Q1 2026, the U.S. automotive market faced a challenging period, with a national slowdown in vehicle sales and a noticeable shift in consumer preferences away from pure electric vehicles. Total vehicle sales are projected at 15.8 million units, slightly down from the previous year, signaling a broader market contraction. The expansion of EV market share is expected to be slow, even as more off-lease and used EVs enter the market, increasing competition for new models. These trends highlight a market in transition, where changing consumer demand and increased used EV availability are reshaping the industry landscape.