California has become the first US state where electric vehicles account for more than half of all new car sales, according to data released Tuesday by the California New Car Dealers Association.
EV sales reached 51.2% of the market in the most recent quarter, up from 43% a year ago, driven by falling battery prices and an expanding charging infrastructure.
Tesla remained the dominant EV brand in the state but saw its market share decline as traditional automakers introduced competitive new models.
The milestone is seen as a bellwether for the broader US auto market, where EV sales currently represent about 18% of total new car purchases.
Industry experts predict that several other states, including Washington and Oregon, could reach the 50% threshold within the next two years.
