Quase 1 em cada 5 carros novos registrados em Washington no último ano eram veículos elétricos ou híbridos plug-in.

## Washington State Leads the Way in Electric Vehicle Adoption

In a groundbreaking shift towards sustainability, Washington state is seeing a significant increase in the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Recent data reveals that 19% of new cars registered in Washington in 2023 were electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids, nearly double the national average in the United States. This surge marks a substantial jump from the previous year, where only 13% of new cars were electric. Washington now ranks closely behind California, a state known for its emphasis on low-carbon transportation.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation’s report highlights that the state saw over 112 models of EVs and plug-in hybrids sold in the U.S. market. Taking into account both new and used vehicle registrations, Washington boasts a population of more than 173,000 low-carbon vehicles, according to data from the state’s Department of Licensing.

While the momentum towards electric vehicles is evident, industry experts caution that the overall growth in the EV market is beginning to plateau, both domestically and globally. Factors contributing to this slowdown include a stagnation in Tesla sales, prompting the company to rethink its strategy of producing a more affordable model. Additionally, major American automakers such as GM and Ford are scaling back their production of electric vehicles.

Following California’s lead, Washington has set a bold mandate requiring all new vehicles sold in the state to be zero carbon emissions by 2035. This directive includes passenger cars, light-duty vehicles, and medium-duty vehicles such as larger pick-up trucks and SUVs. The state has already surpassed an initial sales target of 8% for 2025 vehicle models as part of this initiative.

Joel Creswell, manager of the Climate Pollution Reduction program, acknowledges that the shift towards zero-emission vehicles has been a gradual process. However, the year 2023 marked a turning point as consumers in Washington demonstrated a readiness to make the switch from traditional gasoline vehicles to electric alternatives.

Leveraging investments from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act and federal funding, the state is actively expanding its EV charging infrastructure. Notably, an upcoming ballot initiative known as I-2117 seeks to redirect the funding allocated by the climate act by abolishing a program that holds polluters accountable for their carbon emissions.

With Washington leading the charge in electric vehicle adoption and eco-friendly policies, the state is poised to set a precedent for sustainable transportation practices nationwide.