Dozens of California policymakers and industry leaders took an exclusive tour of the latest electric vehicles at the 2025 L.A. Auto Show, getting a firsthand look at the innovation shaping the state’s clean transportation future.
The two-hour tour, organized by the California Electric Transportation Coalition, brought together legislators and regulatory staff for an up-close view of automakers’ newest models and emerging technologies.
Vehicles on display demonstrated how far the industry has come and where it’s headed next—from electric cars, trucks, and SUVs to sleek next-generation concepts, said CalETC Executive Director Laura Renger.
“California’s leadership in clean transportation is built on collaboration,” Renger said. “By bringing policymakers and automakers together on the show floor, we’re helping decisionmakers see how policy and innovation align to make electric transportation more affordable, accessible, and achievable for all Californians.”
California Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild was among those making their way through gleaming displays of next generation vehicles at the Los Angeles Convention Center. He said the show demonstrates that the state’s commitment to the EV transition is paying off.
“Governor Newsom is keeping California focused on advancing EVs and expanding the infrastructure that supports them,” Hochschild said. “What we’ve seen on the floor today shows what’s possible when public policy and technology move in the same direction,” he said.
Hochschild noted that the event underscored how consumer demand is catching up with policy goals. “The progress we’re seeing in vehicle range, performance, and price shows that Californians aren’t just ready for the EV transition — they’re leading it.”
California Assemblymember Lori Wilson said the collaboration between industry and policymakers is what keeps innovation moving forward.
“California’s clean transportation framework has helped accelerate EV adoption faster than anywhere else in the country,” Wilson said. “It’s a model the rest of the nation is watching.”
One of the tour participants who feels that the Golden State’s progress is a roadmap for what is possible back home is Hawaii State Sen. Chris Lee.
“What’s happening here in California has ripple effects far beyond this state,” said Lee, who is also chair of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators. “Across the country, we’re all trying to make the same thing happen: cleaner transportation, better infrastructure, and more choices for drivers. Seeing this progress up close is a reminder that none of us is doing this alone.”
Renger agreed. “What’s clear from today’s tour is that California isn’t just leading the EV transition. It’s defining what clean transportation looks like for the world.”
Of the nearly 7 million EVs sold in the U.S., 2.5 million were sold in California. During the third quarter of 2025, zero-emission vehicles accounted for 29.1% of the total sales light-duty vehicle sales in California. This was a record for the state. The state currently has more than 200,000 publicly available EV chargers.
