The Electric Vehicles Leading Their Categories in California

Electric vehicle sales have slowed across California this year, and fewer EVs are showing up among the top sellers in their vehicle categories than in past years. Still, Tesla holds onto strong positions in several segments. The Tesla Model Y was the best-selling vehicle in California overall for the first half of 2026, outselling every other SUV or truck regardless of price or size, and it led the luxury compact SUV category by a wide margin. The Tesla Model 3 came in fourth among all cars sold and led the "near luxury" car category, selling about four times more than its closest competitor.

Older Tesla models that are being phased out also did well. The Model X placed fifth among luxury midsize SUVs, and the Model S came in second among luxury and high-end sports cars, both despite production winding down. Elsewhere, the Ford Mustang Mach-E ranked fourth among 2-row midsize SUVs, the Rivian R1S placed second among luxury large SUVs, and the Volkswagen ID. Buzz squeezed into fifth place among minivans.

For a homeowner thinking about an EV alongside home upgrades like a heat pump or solar, this shows that some electric models still lead their categories even as overall EV sales cool. If you're weighing an EV purchase together with charging setup at home, it may be worth checking whether your utility or state offers incentives for home charging equipment, since those programs vary by state.