Guide to Electric Vehicles in Washington

If you’re interested in renting or owning an EV in Washington, it’s a good idea to learn about how to go green in the Evergreen State.

That’s why we’ve put together this handy drive-guide to electric car use in Washington. We’ll cover everything from electric car charging and incentives in Washington, to other tidbits to help you on the road. Go the distance, with helpful tips and information on tax cuts and rebates, and easily calculate electric car prices in Washington.

EVs may be the technology of the future, but with Hertz, you can understand it today. So, get ready to ride in Washington with an electric car.

Jump to a Section: 

• How Many EVs Are There in Washington?
• Are There Incentives for Electric Cars in Washington?
• EV registration, licensing, and fees in Washington
• Washington EV charging network

How Many EVs Are There in Washington?

Washington has an electric atmosphere when it comes to EVs and hybrid cars, being one of the leading states in their registrations across the country. While gasoline still dominates the automobile market, electric car ownership in Washington is rising rapidly with 7.8% of vehicle sales now being EVs.

Here are a few statistics showing how many people are flipping the switch to EVs across Washington:

• There has been approximately a total of 104,450 EV registrations in Washington .
• With approximately 6.8 million vehicles across Washington, EVs occupy a market share of 1.532%
• This works out at 4.6% of total EV registrations across the US
• Year-over-year growth for sustainable electric cars has been solid in Washington at about 32.30% considering it already had a good number of early adopters
• Focusing on more sustainable emission standards, the state of Washington has adopted a clean vehicle program to ensure all light vehicles sold will meet Zero emission standards by 2035

Are There Incentives for Electric Cars in Washington?

With a pedal to the floor approach to sustainability, there are a lot of benefits and electric car incentives in Washington. These are being set up at both the state and private levels to propel Washington’s eco-friendly goals forward.

Let’s look at some important ones which could both affect the quality and cost of EV ownership in Washington for you:

-        The Government has introduced the Alternative Fuel Use Requirement regulation, requiring public agencies to prioritize the purchase and use of a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) such as an electric car where feasible.

Exclusive EV charge and park bays are also to be marked by the end of 2023, meaning non-electric cars can’t use these spaces.

Electric Car Federal Tax Credit in Washington

• These aren’t the only requirements and benefits in Washington for electric cars. There’s a range of electric car federal tax credits and exemptions in Washington depending on your vehicle. While certain criteria apply, here are some of the options.

• Several utility providers such as Tacoma Public, SnoPud, and Clark Public Utilities provide EV charging station rebates in Washington for the installation of level 2 chargers. These range from $250-$500. Additionally, installing such a charger also comes with a tax credit of 40% up to $1000 .
• If you get a new plug-in electric car or fuel cell car in 2023 or later, you might be also eligible for a clean vehicle tax credit. The credit amount will vary by battery capacity, with at least $3,751 being provided.

EV Registration, Licensing, and Fees in Washington

Now that we’ve covered benefits and popularity, let's delve deeper into what kind of secondary costs come with electric car prices in Washington.

• Registration fees in Washington amount to $180 ($30 for an annual license registration charge and a $150 electric vehicle charge, which is being utilized for further sustainable fuel vehicle infrastructure.
• EV owners also must pay a $75 fee per electric/plug-in hybrid vehicle, with the only exception being e-motorbikes.
• A bill has also been introduced for Road Usage Charges in Washington, replacing the Gas Tax for more comprehensive vehicle coverage in the future. This would amount to 2.5 cents per mile, starting July 2026 .
• With higher repair costs built in, you might have to pay more for insuring an EV. It’s a good idea to compare multiple providers and find discounts that get you a better deal.

Washington EV Charging Network

The cold Washington weather might leave you feeling frozen in your tracks, but the extensive network of electric car charging stations in Washington won’t. Avoid problems such as range anxiety as the state offers you convenient charging options.

• There are a total of 3,675 public charging ports in Washington, including options like Tesla Superchargers, DC fast chargers and Type 2 charging stations.
• With the government’s push to ban sales of Internal combustion vehicles by 2035, Washington has also introduced a plan to have DC fast chargers every 50 miles on interstate highways.
• With electricity costing around 9.92 cents per kilowatt-hour, power is generally cheap, making EVs a practical purchase. Generally, fast charging fill costs you between 20 to 45 cents per kilowatt hour (using type 2 or DC chargers.)

Hit the Road!

With the rising popularity of EVs, and all the rebates, credit, and benefits on offer, electric car ownership in Washington has never been more exciting.

Make a smart call on your next rental or purchase. Whether it comes down to practicality, modernization or environmental sustainability, EVs can help in all facets of life.

If you’re curious about adapting to a new type of car, and would like some hands-on practice first – no problem. You can rent an EV with Hertz and try out the electric experience, before deciding for yourself.

So, what are you waiting for? Plan that West Coast Paradise road trip, and see the beautiful mountains and fun city offerings of Washington from the driving seat of an EV.