California Celebrates EV Numbers While Remaining the Nation’s Second-Largest Gasoline Consumer

California’s latest electric vehicle headlines tell only part of the state’s transportation story. While state officials celebrate leading the nation in household EV ownership, 86% of California households still do not own one. Meanwhile, California continues to consume more gasoline annually than every other state except Texas, underscoring the importance of preserving the local oil production and refining capacity needed to supply that demand.

The Sacramento Bee reports that newly released 2025 American Community Survey estimates show 13.8% of California households possess at least one electric vehicle, compared with 5.5% nationally. That means 86.2% of California households do not have an EV. Moreover, the survey counts both fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, which also use gasoline. Households reporting an EV may also own gasoline-powered vehicles. California’s national leadership in EV ownership, therefore, should not be mistaken for a wholesale departure from gasoline.

The article also reports that zero-emission vehicles accounted for approximately 18% of California passenger vehicle sales so far this year. In other words, roughly four out of five passenger vehicles sold fell outside the ZEV category. Even as electric options expand, conventional vehicles continue to account for the overwhelming majority of purchases.

Federal fuel consumption figures provide an equally consequential measure of California’s continuing dependence on gasoline. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s 2024 estimates, California consumed approximately 312.8 million barrels of motor gasoline, equivalent to 13.1 billion gallons annually, or nearly 36 million gallons per day. Only Texas consumed more. California represented approximately 9.5% of nationwide motor gasoline consumption, including ethanol blended into gasoline.

The Bee’s reporting also highlights differences in EV ownership across households. Among California homeowners, 17.7% had an EV, compared with 8.9% of renter households. Even in the Sacramento region, EV ownership remained a minority: approximately 12.7% of households in both El Dorado and Yolo counties, 11.5% in Placer County and 10.3% in Sacramento County. Those figures reinforce the need for policies that serve Californians who continue to rely on gasoline, alongside those choosing electric vehicles.

For CIPA the policy implication is clear: California must plan for the transportation system its residents actually use. Supporting responsible in-state crude oil production and keeping California’s refineries operating are complementary priorities. Producers supply crude oil, and refineries convert that feedstock into the fuels consumers require. Curtailing either while substantial demand remains increases the need to obtain replacement supplies elsewhere.

California can celebrate EV adoption while acknowledging that gasoline-powered transportation remains central to everyday life. Policies that weaken local fuel supplies do not eliminate that demand. CIPA continues to advocate for an approach that protects consumer choice, supports California production, and preserves reliable refining capacity for the millions of motorists who still depend on gasoline.