Zero Emission Vehicle Sales Exceed State Goals

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) - If you are seeing more electric cars on the road, the state says it's a trend that is happening at a pace faster than expected.

This week the California Energy Commission (CEC) said California surpassed 2.5 million cumulative new zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales took place in 2025. Sales overall have gone up 300% since 2019.

To make driving an electric vehicle easier, more charging stations have had to be added to communities, including many on the Central Coast.

Sean McArthur is with the Santa Barbra Community Environmental Council Mitigation Team. He says, "range anxiety is something   I think is decreasing  especially   with battery technology getting better  we are starting to see energy density in the batteries. They will  hold more charge . "

A total of 17 were added to City of Goleta city hall parking lot last January.

This project was a collaboration with the city, Southern California Edison's Charge Ready Program, and the Air Pollution Control District's (APCD) Clean Air Grants for Infrastructure Program.

The state goals have been focused on zero emission vehicle technology for years. Having the infrastructure in place is essential to make the change over from a gas or diesel engine to a zero emission vehicle.

While getting a charge at a Tesla station on upper State Street Alec Taylor said, "in California specifically there is a tremendous amount of charging stations.  Very easy plug in, you are good to go  in  Santa Monica for example there's food and some other cool little spots so it is an enjoyable experience."

Stopping by from Paso Robles Louise Scott said, if a spot is off line you will be a message. "When you come here you get a little  notification on your screen saying ya know C-2 is broken it will tell you." She found an open slot, "because there was enough options."

A Cal Poly San Luis Obispo student needed just ten minutes of energy in his vehicle and he would be fully charged for a ride home. Ryan Klinthond said, "you save a lot of money on gas especially with like  heavy gas powered cars you are going to save a tons of money." He often drives to and from Sylmar to his college campus.

More financial incentives are expected in the years ahead from the state of California. A federal incentive ran out at the end of September.

(More details, videos and photos will be added here later today.)

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