President Trump's Policies Fail to Deter EV Sales Growth in California
Despite President Trump's efforts to curb electric vehicle (EV) sales through legislative measures, California has seen a significant increase in EV purchases. The 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' (OBBA), passed by Trump's Republican majority, ended the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, leading to an initial drop in sales. However, the California Energy Commission reported a 19.1% increase in zero-emission vehicle sales in the second quarter of 2026, a 3.3 percentage point rise from the previous quarter. This growth occurred despite the absence of federal tax incentives, with 75,597 full battery-powered EVs sold. The increase is attributed to rising gasoline prices following Trump's military actions in Iran, which have made EVs more appealing to consumers.