California’s electric vehicle (EV) push under Governor Gavin Newsom faces mounting challenges as sales figures reveal a persistent slowdown, despite the state’s aggressive efforts to enforce a ban on new gas-powered cars by 2035. With results suffering ahead of a September deadline, reports indicate he is “panicking.”
Recent data shows that EV registrations in the second quarter of 2025 barely edged up from the previous quarter, while dropping significantly compared to the same period last year, raising questions about the viability of mandates that override consumer choice.
The California Energy Commission reported that 100,671 zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) were registered from April to June, accounting for 21.6% of new vehicle sales. This figure represents a modest increase from the first quarter’s 100,326 but a notable decline from the 116,813 seen in the second quarter of 2024. Overall, the state’s ZEV market share has trended downward, slipping from 25.1% in the fourth quarter of 2024 to 23% in the first quarter of 2025 before hitting its current low.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported:
The number of EVs registered between April and June in the Golden State came to 100,671, according to figures released by the California Energy Commission. That’s ever so slightly higher than the first-quarter figure of 100,326 but noticeably lower than the 116,813 registrations seen in the second quarter of 2024.
What’s more, the market share for sales of zero-emission vehicles dropped to 21.6% from April through June, down from 23% in the first quarter and 25.1% in the fourth quarter of 2024.
These trends persist even as federal incentives, including a $7,500 tax credit for new EVs and $4,000 for used ones, are set to expire on September 30, 2025. Additionally, EVs will lose their longstanding privilege of accessing carpool lanes without passengers after that date, a perk that has been in place for two decades. Such deadlines might have been expected to spur a buying rush, but the numbers suggest otherwise, pointing to deeper issues like high upfront costs, lengthy charging times, and widespread “range anxiety” among drivers worried about running out of power mid-trip.
Newsom first unveiled the EV mandate in September 2020, just weeks after a statewide power outage prompted officials to urge residents not to charge their vehicles during peak hours. The policy, finalized in 2022, aims to phase out sales of gas-powered cars entirely by 2035. Yet, as sales faltered by late 2024, the mandate’s future grew uncertain.
The situation escalated in May 2025 when the U.S. Senate voted to revoke the Environmental Protection Agency’s waiver that had allowed California to impose stricter emissions rules than federal standards. President Donald Trump signed the repeal into law in June, effectively blocking the state’s authority to enforce the ban.
In response, Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, joined by 10 other states, filed a lawsuit on June 12 challenging the congressional action as unlawful. The governor also signed an executive order that same day to reinforce the state’s commitment to clean vehicles, directing agencies to explore new policies and accelerate infrastructure development.
“This Senate vote is illegal,” Newsom stated in May, accusing Republicans of bypassing procedural norms to undermine decades of state autonomy on air quality.
State officials attribute the sales dip to external factors, including the federal repeal and reduced incentives, with the California Energy Commission noting that Tesla registrations plummeted 21% in the quarter—from 52,119 in Q2 2024 to 41,138—while non-Tesla ZEV sales held steady.
CEC Commissioner Nancy Skinner remarked, “Despite Trump’s full-on attack, Californians are choosing the clean simplicity of ZEVs. We are saying no to inhaling fumes at gas stations and handling dirty gas nozzles.”
CARB Chair Liane Randolph added, “This quarter’s modest decline in zero-emission vehicle sales is no surprise given the federal government’s misguided and ongoing assault on clean transportation.”
Critics, however, argue that the stagnation reflects fundamental flaws in top-down mandates that ignore market realities and consumer preferences. Nationwide, EV sales reached a record 607,089 in the first half of 2025, up 1.5% year-over-year, but California’s share—27% of U.S. totals—has not kept pace with expectations under its stringent rules. While proponents tout over 178,000 public charging ports and grants for low-income buyers, infrastructure gaps and grid strain remain concerns, especially in a state prone to blackouts.
This scenario underscores the pitfalls of government overreach in dictating energy choices. As litigation drags on, California’s EV ambitions may force residents to confront higher costs and limited options, all while sales data signals that true progress comes from innovation and affordability, not coercion. With the 2035 deadline looming, the outcome of this battle could reshape transportation policy far beyond the Golden State.
Three Reasons a Coffee Gift Set From This Christian Company Is Perfect for Christmas
When you’re searching for a Christmas gift that’s meaningful, useful, and rooted in faith, you don’t want to settle for anything generic. This season is filled with noise — mass-produced products, last-minute picks, and trends that fade as quickly as they appear. But one gift stands apart because it blends genuine quality with a message that matters: a coffee gift set from Promised Grounds Coffee.
This small Christian-owned company has become a favorite among believers who want to support faith-driven businesses while giving friends and family something they’ll actually enjoy. Here are three reasons a Promised Grounds Coffee gift set may be the most thoughtful and impactful present you give this year.
1. It’s Truly Delicious Coffee
Too many “gift-worthy” coffees look beautiful in the package but disappoint when the cup is poured. Promised Grounds takes the opposite approach — exceptional taste first, thoughtful presentation second.
Their beans are sourced with care, roasted in small batches, and crafted to bring out a rich, smooth flavor profile that appeals to both casual drinkers and true coffee lovers. Whether someone enjoys bold, dark roasts or lighter, more delicate blends, every sip reflects quality that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the biggest specialty brands.
Simply put: this coffee is good. Really good. Some say it’s absolutely fantastic. If you want a gift that won’t be re-gifted, ignored, or shoved in a cabinet, this is it.
2. It Spreads the Word While Serving a Real Purpose
There are many Christian gifts that are meaningful… but not exactly practical. There are also useful gifts that have nothing to do with faith. Promised Grounds Coffee bridges both worlds beautifully.
Each gift set delivers an encouraging, faith-centered message through its packaging and presentation — a simple but powerful reminder of God’s goodness during the Christmas season. The cups are especially popular and serve as a daily reminder of the blessings from our Lord. At the same time, the product itself is something people will actually use and appreciate every single day.
It’s a gift that uplifts the spirit and fills the mug. A gift that points loved ones toward Scripture while still being part of the normal rhythm of life. And in a culture that increasingly pushes faith to the margins, giving a gift that quietly but confidently honors Christ can make a deeper impact than you might expect.
3. It’s Affordable, Valuable, and Elegantly Presented
Many people want to give something meaningful without breaking their Christmas budget. Promised Grounds Coffee strikes that perfect balance — the sets look and feel premium, but the price remains accessible.
The packaging is classy, clean, and gift-ready, making it ideal for:
- Family members of all ages
- Co-workers or employees
- Church friends or small-group leaders
- Hosts, neighbors, and last-minute gift needs
It’s the kind of gift that feels more expensive than it is — and more thoughtful than most of what you’ll find on store shelves.
The Perfect Blend of Faith, Flavor, and Christmas Cheer
A coffee gift set from Promised Grounds Coffee checks every box: a gift that tastes amazing, conveys your faith, supports a Christian business, and brings daily enjoyment to the person who receives it. In a season when so many gifts are forgotten, this one stands out for all the right reasons.
If you want a Christmas present that reflects your values and delivers genuine joy, Promised Grounds Coffee is the perfect place to start.
