Washington State plans to ban most non-electric vehicles by 2030 based on a new bill signed by the governor as a part of the transportation package. Electric and hybrid cars are the rave now especially with the high gas prices. According to the bill, all vehicles of the model year 2030 or later that are sold, purchased, or registered in the state must be electric.
The transportation package also has in it funding for four new hybrid-electric ferries, thousands of electric vehicle charging stations, 25 transit electrification projects across the state, and free fares for riders 18 and younger on public transportation systems.
It is stated that the interagency electric vehicle coordinating council will complete a scoping plan for achieving the 2030 target on or before December 31, 2023.
The bill is robust with a plethora of goodies meant to address transportation issues in the state. It is a part of a larger $16.9 billion transportation package called “Move Ahead Washington,” which Governor Inslee described as a way to create more efficient transportation options.
Electric vehicles are considered cheaper to operate and electricity costs are also stated by experts as much more consistent than gas prices.
The environment is also front and center. Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in most states. Climate change continues to be a big topic with transportation as a significant issue. The governor says that the transportation package will move the state away from the old transportation system of our grandparents.
