New effort helps Washingtonians save money, build a healthier future despite federal clean vehicle rollbacks
OLYMPIA — In response to the Trump Administration cutting off support for zero-emission vehicles, Governor Bob Ferguson and the Washington State Department of Ecology today announced the launch of ZEVergreen, a statewide effort to help Washingtonians save money by expanding access to these vehicles. In 2024, one out of every five new vehicles purchased in Washington was powered by zero-emission technology — one of the highest rates in the nation.
Earlier this year, Congress ended electric vehicle rebates and attempted to strip Washington and other states of their authority to require manufacturers to increase clean vehicle sales. Washington is part of a bipartisan, multistate coalition fighting that action in court. ZEVergreen is designed to explore other tools the state can use to keep moving forward. To that end, Ecology is hosting a series of workshops with industry, utilities, Tribal governments, environmental groups and community groups ahead of the next Legislative session to inform ideas for new policies.
The public is invited to the first meeting on Oct. 27 to get information from Ecology staff and share their feedback and ideas. People can sign up here, or submit written comments through Oct. 31.
“We know that Washingtonians want these vehicles, and yet the Trump Administration seems intent on keeping people dependent on volatile global oil markets,” Governor Ferguson said. “We’ve made significant investments in expanding access to zero-emission vehicles, and those have paid off. Washington will continue to be a leader.”
“In Washington, we are proving that decarbonizing transportation is possible, and that it saves drivers money and creates clean energy jobs,” Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller said. “We are protecting our climate, lowering barriers to affordable transportation and improving people’s quality of life. We intend to keep up the momentum.”
Transportation is the second largest expense for American households, after housing. Moving to zero-emission transportation will help Washington households save money, because electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are significantly cheaper to own and operate in states with low-cost electricity like Washington. In Washington, fueling an electric vehicle costs approximately a dollar per gallon.
Switching to a zero-emission vehicle can save up to $8,000 over seven years — the typical length of ownership for a new vehicle — thanks to avoiding fluctuating fuel prices and the maintenance costs of traditional engines. Washington benefits from some of the cheapest electricity rates in the country.
Consumer opinion research shows that there is especially high demand for zero-emission vehicles in Washington. This, along with rebates, the expansion of charging infrastructure, and regulations that expand consumer choice, have driven Washington’s zero-emission vehicle adoption rate up to 20% — about double the national average.
In addition to helping Washingtonians save money, ZEVergreen will protect public health and the environment. Getting more of these vehicles on Washington’s roads reduces the harmful air pollution affecting communities located near major traffic corridors. Washington law requires a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and a 95% reduction by 2050. Continuing zero-emission vehicle adoption is an important part of meeting these limits.
ZEVergreen is an extension of Washington’s participation in the Affordable Clean Cars Coalition, a partnership of 13 U.S. Climate Alliance states working together to expand consumer access to zero-emission vehicles, maintain automaker competitiveness in the global market, and defend longstanding state authority to regulate vehicle pollution.
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