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Hybrid Cars Outsell EVs in California During 2026
Hybrid vehicles have overtaken electric cars in California as buyers seek better fuel economy without the higher cost of fully electric models.
Hybrid vehicles are gaining momentum in the United States, even in California, the country’s largest electric vehicle market. New registration data shows that hybrids surpassed battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) during the first half of 2026, reflecting changing consumer priorities as buyers look for lower fuel costs without the higher purchase price of an EV.
The shift comes after the end of federal EV tax credits, making many electric models significantly more expensive for consumers.
Hybrids Take the Lead
According to registration data from the California New Car Dealers Association, hybrids accounted for 22% of all new vehicle registrations during the first six months of 2026, totaling approximately 191,000 vehicles.
Battery-electric vehicles represented 16% of registrations, with around 137,400 units delivered during the same period.
Although California remains the nation’s largest EV market, the figures mark the first time in four years that hybrids have outsold fully electric vehicles in the state.

Hybrid vehicle registrations surpassed EVs in California during the first half of 2026.
High Fuel Prices Continue Driving Demand
California continues to have some of the highest gasoline prices in the country, averaging about $5.65 per gallon.
That has increased interest in fuel-efficient hybrid models such as the:
- Toyota Prius
- Toyota Camry Hybrid
- Toyota Corolla Hybrid
- Honda Civic Hybrid
- Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
- Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
- Kia Niro Hybrid
Many of these vehicles deliver more than 47 mpg, allowing drivers to reduce fuel costs without changing their driving habits or relying on charging infrastructure.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) also remain an attractive option, offering approximately 35 miles of electric-only driving for many daily commutes.

Rising fuel prices continue boosting demand for hybrid vehicles across California.
Tesla Model Y Still Leads Overall Sales
Despite the growing popularity of hybrids, electric vehicles remain highly competitive.
The Tesla Model Y was California’s best-selling vehicle during the first half of 2026, recording 54,327 registrations.
The Toyota Camry Hybrid ranked second with 33,523 registrations, highlighting the growing appeal of hybrid technology even in the nation’s leading EV market.
While EV registrations have begun recovering during the second quarter, hybrids are proving to be the preferred choice for many buyers seeking affordability, efficiency, and everyday convenience.

The Tesla Model Y remained California’s best-selling vehicle despite the surge in hybrid sales.
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Chevrolet Turns Colorado and Bolt Into Pixar’s Cars Characters
Chevrolet and Disney transformed a 2026 Colorado and 2027 Bolt into full-size tributes to Ramone and Flo for the 20th anniversary of Pixar’s Cars.
Chevrolet has brought two of Pixar’s most recognizable Cars characters to life with full-size vehicle wraps.
For the 20th anniversary of the animated movie, General Motors displayed a 2026 Chevrolet Colorado inspired by Ramone and a 2027 Chevrolet Bolt inspired by Flo at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.
The project combines Pixar’s characters with Chevrolet’s current lineup while showcasing both gasoline and electric vehicles.
Ramone and Flo Get Modern Chevrolet Forms
The two vehicles were designed by Disney and wrapped by Graphix Concepts specifically for the D23 event.
Ramone’s real-world counterpart is the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado, while Flo is represented by the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt.

The 2026 Chevrolet Colorado was transformed into a modern interpretation of Ramone from Pixar’s Cars.
The choice of Ramone was particularly fitting because the character is portrayed as a 1959 Chevrolet Impala in the original movie.
Flo, meanwhile, was partly inspired by the 1951 Buick XP-300, which helped guide the visual treatment of the Bolt.
The project was also designed around D23’s theme of iconic duos while celebrating two decades of Cars.
One Gas Truck and One EV
Chevrolet deliberately chose two vehicles with different powertrains.
The Colorado represents GM’s continued commitment to gas-powered vehicles, while the Bolt highlights its growing electric lineup.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt became Flo, giving the Pixar character an electric Chevrolet interpretation.
GM said the approach reflects the company’s emphasis on customer choice.
Disney developed the creative direction, while GM worked with the team to adapt the character designs to actual vehicles without hiding their original shapes.
The goal was to make the characters immediately recognizable while allowing the underlying Chevrolet designs to remain visible.
Creating the Character Wraps
Transforming the two vehicles required considerably more work than simply applying graphics.
Both the Colorado and Bolt were thoroughly washed and prepared before the wrapping process began. Any contaminants, dust, or oils could interfere with the vinyl installation.

Graphix Concepts spent roughly a week applying the custom wraps to the Colorado and Bolt.
The Bolt’s wrap used a continuous-color film divided into panels according to the size of each body section.
The Colorado required a more complicated process because of its gradient colors and detailed graphics. Even the door handles required individually printed panels.
Graphix Concepts used a printable metallic silver film on the Colorado to create an appearance closer to painted metal with metallic flake.
A Week to Build Two Life-Size Characters
The specialized wrapping company has just 12 employees, with every member contributing to the project at some stage.
Overall, the installation process took approximately one week for both vehicles.
The finished Colorado and Bolt provided D23 attendees with life-size interpretations of Ramone and Flo while highlighting Chevrolet’s current mix of internal-combustion and electric vehicles.
For Chevrolet Pixar Cars, the project offers a modern interpretation of two characters that have remained popular since the original film premiered in 2006.
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Tesla Raises Cybertruck Price by $5,000
Tesla has increased the price of its two cheapest Cybertruck versions by $5,000, pushing the base model to $77,235 with no apparent mechanical or equipment upgrades.
Tesla has raised the price of the Cybertruck by $5,000, making the controversial electric pickup even more expensive to enter.
The increase affects both of the two lower Cybertruck trims, while the range-topping Cyberbeast remains unchanged.
Cybertruck now starts at $77,235
The Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive model now starts at $77,235, up from $72,235.
The Premium All-Wheel Drive version also received a $5,000 increase, moving from $82,235 to $87,235.

Tesla has increased the Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD price to $77,235.
The top-of-the-line Cyberbeast remains priced at $102,235.
Tesla did not issue a formal announcement explaining the increase. Instead, the new prices appeared in the company’s online configurator.
There are also no obvious changes to the powertrain, equipment, or features of the affected models.
That means buyers are paying more without receiving an apparent increase in performance or standard equipment.
The Cybertruck is far more expensive than originally promised
The latest increase is another step away from the prices Tesla originally promised for the Cybertruck.
When the pickup was unveiled in 2019, Tesla said the single-motor rear-wheel-drive version would start at $39,000, while the dual-motor AWD model would begin at $49,000.

The Cybertruck is now dramatically more expensive than the prices Tesla announced when it debuted in 2019.
Those prices never became reality.
When Tesla eventually launched a single-motor Long Range model in 2025, its starting price was $71,985. That version remained available for only a few months.
Tesla then introduced a new base dual-motor model in February with a $62,235 starting price.
That figure lasted just 10 days before increasing to $72,235.
Now, another $5,000 increase has pushed the entry point even higher.
Cybertruck faces a tougher sales challenge
The rising price comes at a difficult time for the Cybertruck.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk previously said the company could eventually sell 250,000 to 500,000 Cybertrucks annually once production reached full capacity.
Three years after deliveries began, however, sales have still not reached an estimated 100,000 units.

Tesla has struggled to match its original Cybertruck sales expectations as the pickup becomes increasingly expensive.
The latest price increase could make it even harder for Tesla to expand demand.
The Cybertruck now starts at more than $77,000, placing it far above the original price target and limiting its appeal to buyers who may already have numerous electric and gasoline-powered pickup alternatives.
For the Tesla Cybertruck, the latest $5,000 increase is another reminder of how far the production truck has moved from the pricing strategy announced when the vehicle was first revealed.
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Mitsubishi Plans Nissan-Built Pickup for the U.S.
Mitsubishi plans to return to the U.S. pickup market with a Nissan-built truck as part of its Momentum 2030 strategy, although key details remain unconfirmed.
Mitsubishi is preparing to return to the U.S. pickup market, and Nissan is expected to provide the foundation for the new truck.
The pickup appears in Mitsubishi’s Momentum 2030 roadmap presented to dealers, but the company has not yet confirmed its name, specifications, size, or production timeline.
Nissan Could Build Mitsubishi’s New Pickup
Mitsubishi has not officially revealed what platform the truck will use.
However, early design material shows a boxy pickup with split LED headlights, giving it a different appearance from Mitsubishi’s current SUV lineup.

Early Mitsubishi design material shows a boxy pickup with split LED headlights.
Mitsubishi has also not confirmed whether the truck will compete in the midsize or full-size segment.
The Nissan connection could simplify development.
Nissan already produces and sells the Frontier in the United States, giving Mitsubishi access to established pickup technology instead of developing an entirely new truck from the ground up.
A connection to the Nissan Frontier or Navara has been suggested, but Mitsubishi has not confirmed which Nissan architecture will underpin the pickup.
The Truck Is Part of a Larger Mitsubishi Strategy
The pickup is one of several new models planned for Mitsubishi’s North American lineup.
The Eclipse Sportback EV, which uses Nissan technology and is based on the next-generation Leaf, is scheduled to arrive at U.S. and Canadian dealerships during the second half of 2026.

The Eclipse Sportback EV will be one of Mitsubishi’s first major additions to its U.S. lineup under the Momentum 2030 strategy.
A more rugged Outlander variant is then expected in the first quarter of 2027.
The pickup is planned to follow those launches, although Mitsubishi has not announced a specific date.
Together, the new vehicles would expand Mitsubishi’s current U.S. lineup beyond the Outlander Sport, Eclipse Cross, Outlander, and Outlander PHEV.
Mitsubishi Is Expanding Its Alliance-Based Lineup
Momentum 2030 calls for Mitsubishi to strengthen its U.S. presence through electrification, new products, retail improvements, and dealer-network expansion.
Using Nissan hardware allows Mitsubishi to accelerate that product expansion while maintaining its own exterior design and brand identity.

The Nissan partnership gives Mitsubishi a faster path to expanding its U.S. vehicle lineup.
Mitsubishi is also preparing another major product outside the pickup program.
The next Pajero, historically known as the Montero in North America, is scheduled for a world premiere on September 2.
However, Mitsubishi’s materials treat the Pajero and the potential U.S. pickup as separate projects.
The Pajero is expected to serve as a ladder-frame flagship SUV, while the Nissan-built pickup would form part of Mitsubishi’s broader North American product expansion.
For now, the Mitsubishi pickup truck remains an early-stage program, but its inclusion in Momentum 2030 signals that Mitsubishi is serious about returning to a segment it has not competed in directly in the U.S. for years.
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