After attending the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in the past two years, we were of the view that the USA may catch up with Europe to become the world’s largest electric vehicle market after China. Following the 2025 edition of the ACT Expo – held between 28 April and 1 May in Anaheim, California – I now have serious doubts about how long it will take for America to overtake Europe, if it happens at all. There was a palpable shift away from electric vehicles in favour of alternatives such as natural gas, propane, and hybrid vehicles. Once the stars of the show, these options faded into the background when California’s zero emission vehicle mandate passed into law. Now, the progressive state has repealed the mandate, after the Environmental Protection Agency in January 2025 withdrew the waiver which allowed California to enforce zero emission quotas on fleets; consequently, the low-emission alternatives to diesel and electric are enjoying a revival of interest from many kinds of customer.