Washington State requires new cars to be electric from 2030

Washington State governor Jay Inslee has signed into law a bill setting a date of 2030 for all new cars registered in the state to be electric.

The measure, known as Clean Cars 2030, sets the most aggressive state target in the US for the phaseout of gasoline cars – a full five years ahead of California’s 2035 deadline – and establishes an interagency council tasked with creating a plan for achieving the 2030 target.

Passed as part of Move Ahead Washington, a nearly US$17 billion transportation package, Clean Cars 2030 will spur public and private investment in EVs and EV charging infrastructure and help Washingtonians save money on vehicle fuel and maintenance while enjoying cleaner air and water, proponents say.

“The war in Ukraine and the burden of high gas prices on families demonstrate the importance of ending our dependence on gasoline and preparing for an all-electric transportation future,” says Matthew Metz, co-executive director of Coltura – a non-profit organisation focused on phasing out the use of gasoline.

“By targeting 2030 as an end date for the sales of gasoline cars in Washington, Clean Cars 2030 gives confidence to consumers, automakers, utilities, investors, and others that now is the time to go all-in on an all-EV future.”

Senator Marko Liias says Clean Cars 2030 outlines a clear path for the transition.

“This part of our Move Ahead Washington plan will create a timeline with the data, tools, and guidelines that every sector from governments to businesses can plan for with confidence.”

Representative Nicole Macri first introduced the measure in 2020 and adds that Clean Cars 2030 “puts Washington on the road to powering its vehicles with cheap, clean, renewable electricity produced in-state and reduces the threat that oil and gasoline pose to our air, water, health, and economy”.

Research commissioned by Coltura and conducted by Yale University, George Mason University, and Climate Nexus found 55% of voters nationally support a full phaseout of gasoline cars starting in 2030.

Coltura is leading coalitions working to pass similar Clean Cars 2030 measures in other states.