Save California’s new light vehicle registrations fell by 1.7 percent YTD versus the year earlier, totaling 1,320,708 through September 2024, says the latest California New Car Dealers Auto Outlook. The state is forecast to reach 1.75 million new vehicle registrations by year-end. Overall sales in 2023 reached 1.77 million, indicating a flat YOY prediction. Additionally, early 2025 estimates remain in the narrow range, with total projected sales to reach 1.79 million. New vehicle registrations in the Golden State seem to be leveling off post-pandemic with a new yearly average benchmark. Three of the past four years have totaled approximately 1.76 million registrations, far less than the pre-pandemic years (2015-19), which hovered just above 2 million registrations. Affordability remains a key issue holding back numbers, but lower interest rates, falling inflation, increasing employment, and rising incentives may help sales rise into 2025. Tesla loses market share Tesla’s Model Y remains the top-selling car in California year-to-date, but the company’s sales continue to slip, losing 8.5 percent market share compared to last year. John Lindt E15 fuel, which contains 15% ethanol, has been widely adopted in other states and could significantly reduce prices without adding environmental harm, says RFA. As of 2023, E15 was sold at more than 3,000 stations in 31 states. In a related news release, Newsom stated, “There’s massive potential for this to be a win-win for Californians: lowering gas prices by up to 20 cents per gallon while keeping our air clean. It builds on our efforts to keep gas prices low by holding Big Oil accountable and helping prevent price spikes at the pump.” Newsom’s letter cited a recent study by economists at the University of California, Berkeley and United States Naval Academy that showed E15 could result in a $0.20 per gallon price decrease for the state’s drivers, saving California families up to $2.7 billion per year. E15 is a fuel blend that contains 15% ethanol and is generally cheaper than regular gasoline, says the RFA. Price: In April 2023, E15 was on average $0.27 per gallon cheaper than E10, or 7.4%. In summer 2023, E15 was on average 10–30 cents per gallon cheaper than regular gas, with some locations offering over $1 off per gallon. Reasons for lower price: Ethanol is cheaper to produce than gasoline, and the domestic production of ethanol from corn helps stabilize fuel prices. Benefits: E15 is a lower-carbon option and can help save money on fuel. "We sincerely appreciate Gov. Newsom’s efforts to accelerate the approval of the cleaner, greener E15 fuel blend in California,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Not only does E15 reduce greenhouse gas emissions and harmful tailpipe pollution, but it also delivers significant savings at the pump. Allowing the sale of E15 would provide economic relief to California families, while at the same time providing important environmental benefits.” Newsom’s news release also highlights recent vehicle testing from the University of California, Riverside showing that “blending in gasoline would not affect NOx emissions and would reduce particulate emissions.”