Washington is home to many of the world’s largest and most innovative tech companies, whose services have transformed how the entire world does business and unleashed unprecedented growth in the process.
Sitting at the nexus of innovation and environmentalism and
with the cleanest state energy grid in the U.S., electric vehicles (EVs) are
our best solution for decarbonizing the transportation sector — the largest
source of state greenhouse gas emissions. EVs fit perfectly into Washington’s
culture of putting economic development and conservation on equal footing; in
2020, we surpassed Gov. Jay Inslee’s initial goal for 50,000 EVs on the road.
As battery technology continues to accelerate, EVs will achieve total cost of
ownership parity with internal combustion engine vehicles, and EV ownership
will likely accelerate.
The trend in greenhouse gas emissions last measured by the
state in 2018 is moving in the wrong direction, however, coming in at 9% higher
than the Legislature’s emissions target for 2020. Transportation accounts for
45% of Washington’s climate-warming emissions, so we must do all we can to
reduce transportation emissions.
That includes accelerating the adoption of zero-emission
vehicles (ZEVs).
Because Washington imports all the oil it uses from other
states and foreign countries, moving from oil to Washington-generated
electricity can enable the state to keep as much as $15 billion a year here in
the state’s economy.
Allowing direct EV sales is a crucial component for
implementing Washington’s recently adopted ZEV standards.
Current regulations inhibit electric vehicle sales, blocking
Washington’s residents from enjoying full freedom to buy EVs in-state. Vehicle
manufacturers, except Tesla, are barred from engaging in sales activity unless
they operate through a franchise dealership.
While residents can still order these vehicles online, they
must travel to a neighboring state (both Oregon and Idaho allow direct EV
sales) to test drive or interact with the car before purchasing. New EV
companies introducing long-range ZEVs seek to open EV stores in the state,
supporting economic investment and job creation for the benefit of all
Washingtonians.
Washington must also keep pace with the important dialogue
on environmental justice and equity. Hazardous air pollution from vehicle emissions
disproportionately impacts families living near high-traffic zones, including
low-income communities. Accelerating EV adoption will lower emissions in these
zones, providing immediate benefit to these families, even if they don’t own an
electric vehicle.
Welcoming EV manufacturers will allow these companies to
build retail locations, hire workers, develop charging infrastructure, and
invest in Washington state.
Multimodal charging hubs around the region – similar to
multimodal transportation hubs – will serve a variety of public and private
fleet operators and citizens. This allows economies of scale, reduced costs of
electric power and a better managed electrical grid.
The American EV industry is driving the transition to a
21st-century clean energy economy, attracting new investment and creating new
domestic manufacturing jobs all around the country. By allowing direct sales,
Washington can send a strong signal that it wants to be part of this new
mobility shift.
Bruce Agnew is director of Cascadia/ACES NW Network.
Steve Marshall is executive director of CATES.
Joel Levin is executive director of Plug In America.
