SACRAMENTO, California — Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a plan on Monday to Trump-proof — and maybe even Tesla-proof — California’s nation-leading electric vehicle market.
Newsom’s office said in a news release that he would seek to revive state rebates worth up to $7,500 per car if President-elect Donald Trump carries out reported plans to eliminate Inflation Reduction Act EV credits worth the same amount.
But the California credits might not be available for vehicles from market-dominant automakers, according to an administration official — and that means Tesla. Elon Musk’s company continues to outsell its competitors, accounting for more than half of California EV sales for the year through October. Musk has been a near-constant presence by Trump’s side since he won the election after spending over $100 million to help retake the White House.
Newsom’s plan, which will require legislative signoff, further positions California as a Democratic foil to a second Trump administration on progressive policy priorities on climate, immigration and reproductive rights.
