> The regulatory pressure federally and by California to decrease emissions
That pressure is dictated by the administration in power and the current administration has already started the process of rolling back the prior administration's regulations by changing CAFE requirements. In addition to that they've also questioned that Waiver that gives CARB it's authority. If successful they would strip CA of it's regulatory power.
> plus incentives to buy EVs matter too.
And those expire. Once Nissan hit's 300k units of the Leaf sold in the US they'll lose their credit and there will be very little motivation for people to purchase it. Unless they're able to significantly reduce the MSRP or dramatically increase the batteryt capacity, I wouldn't be surprised if the ceased production shortly after hitting 300k units.
The car companies just made compliance cars (and created astroturf org) to battle that. Until Tesla shamed them, they never really had to make serious effort.