The California New Automotive Sellers Affiliation (CNCDA) reported on November 1, 2023, that gross sales of battery electrical automobiles accounted for 21.5% of latest automobile gross sales within the Golden State throughout the first 9 months of the yr and 22.3% within the third quarter. On the finish of Q3 in 2022, gross sales of electrical automobiles stood at 16.4%. In 2021, that quantity was 9.1%. So, regardless of all of the weeping and wailing and gnashing of tooth recently about how the EV revolution is stalling, the information is fairly good, a minimum of in California.
When hybrid and hydrogen gas cell automobiles are included within the calculations, the determine jumps up 35.4% for all automobiles bought yr so far in California. Not surprisingly this implies gas-powered gross sales are falling within the state, with the CNCDA reporting ICE market share (together with gasoline and diesel automobiles) was 64.6% thus far this yr, down from 71.6% in 2022 and 88.4% in 2018.
California is called the vanguard for automotive tendencies within the nation, with shifts in preferences and authorities coverage finally spreading to the remainder of the nation. Whereas the state’s share of electrical automobiles exceeds one fifth of all automobiles bought yr so far, the determine for the US as a complete stands at 7.4%. California has banned the sale of gas-powered automobiles beginning in 2035, though the regular improve within the sale of electrical automobiles means that ban could by no means should be carried out as individuals embrace the EV revolution.
Not surprisingly, when digging deeper into the gross sales information, the Tesla Mannequin Y and Mannequin 3 dominate gross sales in electrical automobile within the state, at 103,398 and 66,698 respectively. Tesla’s general market share of battery electrical automobile gross sales is at 62.9%. In reality, the Tesla Mannequin Y is the highest promoting automobile general in California, adopted by the Mannequin 3, the Toyota RAV4 (40,622), and the Toyota Camry (39,293).
Whereas that’s excellent news for Tesla, its general market share has slipped from 71.8% yr so far final yr at the moment. Competing fashions from manufacturers like Chevrolet, BMW, Mercedes, Hyundai, Volkswagen, and Kia have been slowly consuming into Tesla’s market share. General, in California, Toyota is the gross sales king with 15% of gross sales, adopted by Tesla at 13.5%. Within the second quarter, Tesla narrowly edged out Toyota for prime gross sales within the state earlier than gross sales swung again in Toyota’s favor within the third quarter.
That being mentioned, Tesla’s gross sales within the state climbed by 38.5% yr so far, whereas Toyota’s truly shrank by 0.7%. Time will inform if Tesla’s recognition with the state’s automobile patrons improves and it may overtake Toyota for the 2023 crown, or if different EV makers can provide higher merchandise at higher costs and lure California prospects who need to buy electrical automobiles away from the Tesla model. Actually, no firm can anticipate to have two thirds of the market to itself without end.
California Strengthens Supplier Franchise Legislation
Electrical automobiles could also be rising in recognition in California, however the state’s new automobile sellers gained a significant victory within the legislature this yr within the type of a brand new legislation, AB 473, which incorporates a number of basic new provisions that profit sellers.
Preserving Franchise System Integrity — It prevents producers from introducing new automobile model names that will immediately compete with their established franchised seller community.
Equitable DC Quick Charging — The invoice establishes equity in manufacturer-imposed DC quick charging packages. It prohibits producers from burdening their sellers with the complete price of putting in and sustaining public dealing with DC quick chargers.
Put up sale Subscription Limits — AB 473 limits producers’ means to supply post-sale subscriptions for options already built-in into the automobile, making certain equity in client decisions.
Clear Reservation Course of — Producers at the moment are mandated to undertake an open and honest course of for automobile reservation programs, enhancing transparency for each sellers and shoppers.
Reimbursement for Digital Providers — Producers at the moment are obligated to reimburse sellers for any losses incurred on account of the usage of a non-compliant digital service, significantly if the producer pre-selected the service.
We mentioned the brand new legislation over watercress sandwiches (with the crusts eliminated, in fact) at our day by day confab within the natural vegetable backyard of the roof of the CleanTechnica tower at the moment and agreed we didn’t perceive all of the nuances of the brand new laws, however it appears clear that half about equitable quick charging is a slap within the face to Ford CEO Jim Farley, who a yr in the past blindsided sellers with an ultimatum that they set up quick chargers at their shops in the event that they needed to be full fledged members of the Ford gross sales course of for electrical automobiles.
Supplier Push Again
The sellers howled and kicked up a fuss, claiming the mandate positioned an enormous burden on them since doing so may price as much as half 1,000,000 {dollars}. That appears preposterous when the value of a 250 kW Supercharger is presumed to be round $50,000 or much less. We all know that demand chargers from native utility firms may be onerous, however there are methods for managing such issues — similar to storage batteries — that price far lower than half 1,000,000 {dollars}.
What sellers are actually afraid of is that electrical automobiles will likely be much less worthwhile and so will probably be more durable to recoup their funding in charging tools. Within the last evaluation, Farley ambushed the sellers and so they went scurrying to the state legislature for cover — and obtained it.
That half about post-sale subscriptions can be noteworthy. BMW has been the posterchild for grasping producers by making entry to seat heaters a subscription service for some fashions in some markets. Folks actually don’t like being charged further for options after they purchase a automobile, and that’s comprehensible. However we suspect what is admittedly occurring right here is the sellers need to be minimize in on these after-sale subscription charges. We’ll be curious to see how this performs out.
The massive win for the sellers is the availability that stops producers who’ve a longtime seller community from making an attempt to create a brand new advertising and marketing unit that will promote on to the general public the way in which Tesla and Rivian do. It could be that the sellers are fascinated with how Volkswagen is within the course of of making a brand new division often known as Scout that can provide a lineup of rugged battery electrical automobiles aimed on the off-road market.
Volkswagen is already marginalizing its sellers in Germany with regards to promoting electrical automobiles. California sellers could also be anticipating one thing comparable and making a preemptive strike to stop that from occurring of their state. The takeaway right here is that franchise sellers have numerous clout in state legislatures. AB 473 is proof constructive that the facility of the sellers stays intact.
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