Hybrids Overtake EVs In California RegistrationsDavid Bush - Car and DriverCalifornia car buyers are favoring hybrids over EVs, according to data from the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) and initially reported by Automotive News.The Tesla Model Y is California's overall bestselling vehicle so far, but the Toyota Camry, which is only offered as a hybrid, takes second place.In the first half of 2026, hybrid cars made up 22.1 percent of new car registrations, while EVs have comprised 15.9 percent.California, home to several EV automakers, is the nation's largest EV market. But in the first half of this year, data from the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) shows that more people are buying hybrids. In fact, one of the state's top-selling vehicles so far is the hybrid-only Toyota Camry, which makes up 15.5 percent of California's sales this year in the passenger car segment.In total, 22.1 percent of this year's California registrations have been issued to hybrid vehicles, while 15.9 percent went to EVs. That's a much bigger rift than it was this time last year, when EVs took the top spot with less than one percent separating the two.2026 Toyota Camry SE HybridDavid Bush - Car and DriverThree out of the five bestselling passenger cars in California—the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Honda Accord—offer optional hybrid powertrains, which make up a substantial percentage of sales across all models. The only fully electric vehicle in the top five is the Tesla Model 3, which slots in fourth place with 7.7 percent of the passenger car market.AdvertisementAdvertisementThings are a bit different on the truck and SUV podium, where the Tesla Model Y takes the top spot with 8.4 percent of the segment. The rest of the list, however, includes the hybrid-only Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V, Toyota Tacoma, and Ford F-series trucks, which all offer optional hybrid powertrains. This segment includes more vehicles than the passenger car segment, so while the Model Y's market percentage is significantly lower than the Camry's, the Model Y was California's bestseller overall, with 54,327 units sold compared to the Camry's 33,527.2026 Tesla Model YAndi Hedrick - Car and DriverEV trends in California this year have been a mixed bag. While the state still leads as the nation's largest EV market, Rivian and Tesla saw dips in their number of registered cars in the first half compared to last year, with Rivian dropping 28.3 percent of registrations and Tesla dropping 6.5 percent. Lucid, on the other hand, saw the most growth out of any automaker, with a 22.7 percent gain in registered vehicles across the state. Toyota, Honda, and Tesla take up nearly 40 percent of California's new car registrations overall.There are still plenty of EVs around the state, though, and California is encouraging new buyers to take the EV plunge with statewide credits that make purchasing an EV a bit more accessible. But hybrids are often less expensive than EVs and offer improved fuel efficiency without changing the way people fill up their tanks, which is likely why Californians are gravitating toward using less gas than dropping gas-powered vehicles altogether. Now that automakers are starting to make hybrid-only models, like Toyota's Camry and RAV4, hybrids could become the standard instead of a higher-priced option.➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.Shop New Cars Shop Used CarsYou Might Also LikeGift Guide: Best Ride-On Electric Cars for KidsFuture Cars Worth Waiting For: 2025–2029
