Numbers show California EV buyers are turning their backs on Tesla

Having been the leading manufacturer in the state for some time, studies show that California EV buyers are turning their backs on Tesla.

Tesla has had a strong foothold in the Golden State since it was originated, with the electric vehicle company assembling the majority of its cars at the Fremont Factory.

However, it appears that California EV buyers are falling out of love with the brand – or that there are just not enough non-Tesla owners there to see sales rates be maintained.

Studies have now shown that Tesla has sold 21 percent fewer EVs in Q2 of 2025, in comparison to Q1.

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Tesla sales continue to plummet as California EV buyers head elsewhere

It’s not been a great week for Tesla, as the company lost out on billions of dollars by dumping its Bitcoin shares at the wrong time.

Owner Elon Musk was hit equally as hard, dropping $12 billion in net worth overnight.

Now, it seems that sales are down in the brand’s biggest state too, despite efforts to make California the beating heart of its operations.

According to data from the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA), Tesla sales have dropped 21.1 percent in the last quarter, with brands like Toyota, Honda, and Ford being the beneficiaries.

Despite the mass drop-off in Q2, the Model Y and Model 3 remain the best-selling cars in Cali. The study shows that they combined for over 75,000 units sold, and fended off competition from the Toyota Camry and Honda CR-V.

All of this comes with a government shadow lurking too, as the state’s DMV is attempting to ban the sale of Tesla vehicles for a month.

Toyota, Honda, and Ford are on the rise

The stats from CNCDA show that Ford made considerable ground in the wake of Tesla’s downfall, with the Mustang Mach-E and Maverick both performing well and making it into the top 15 cars sold.

But Toyota and Honda, with the Camry and RAV4, and CR-V and Civic, respectively, must be licking their lips at the chance to overtake the previously-immovable Model 3.

Maybe the introduction of Robotaxis to San Francisco will get Californians back on board.

Otherwise, that beating heart of operation may very well have to be moved to Texas.

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