Washington clean cars

Transportation is the largest source of carbon pollution in Washington. Transportation contributes about 22% of total air pollution and 39% of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the state. Vehicle pollution causes health problems, such as cancer and asthma, and also contributes to climate change.

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Committed to cleaner vehicles

Washington’s current clean cars program includes requirements for low emission vehicles and zero emission vehicles:

Passenger cars – vehicles designed to transport up to 12 people
Light-duty trucks – vehicles weighing less than 8,500 pounds
Medium-duty passenger vehicles – vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds designed to transport people
Medium-duty vehicles – vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds

Zero emission vehicle standards (ZEV)

Increasing the number of zero emission vehicles on Washington's roads will reduce total greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide a year by 2030.

In 2020, the Motor Vehicle Emission Standards law directed us to adopt California vehicle emission standards. In Nov. 2021, we adopted the zero emission vehicle standards that require a percentage of the vehicles sold in Washington to be zero emission, starting with the 2025 model year. Consumers will have more choices of zero emission vehicle models, from light-duty cars and trucks to medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

In Dec. 2022, we adopted California's vehicle emissions standards. The Clean Vehicles Program rule increases zero emission vehicle sales of passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles to 100% starting in 2035. It also requires cleaner burning engines in medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

Buying a car in Washington

New vehicles that do not meet Washington's vehicle emission standards cannot be registered, licensed, rented, or sold here — even if they meet federal standards. It is your responsibility to make sure your car meets the state standards.

If you buy a new car in Washington, then you can register it in Washington. Washington car dealers must sell vehicles that meet California's vehicle emission standards. If you buy a car with less than 7,500 miles that doesn't meet the California standards, then you can't register it in Washington. If you a buy a used car with more than 7,500 miles, then you can register it in Washington, regardless of whether it meets California vehicle emission standards. Used vehicles are not covered by these standards.

Other states, including Oregon and California, have the same vehicle emission standards. If you buy a 2009 or newer model car in one of those states, it will meet state standards. Cars purchased in states that do not have the same vehicle emission standards cannot be registered in Washington.

The amount of pollution a car puts into the air depends mainly on which emission standards it meets. It can also be affected by how you drive and maintain the car, how much fuel the car uses, and the kind of fuel used.

Passenger cars must meet certain fuel mileage standards. Generally, the better the fuel mileage, the “cleaner” the car. For example, smaller cars typically get the best fuel mileage, which also means they pollute less.

Light trucks — which include vans, small pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) — are allowed to get lower fuel mileage than passenger cars. As a result, the average light truck pollutes more than the average car.

See a list of the clean cars you can buy.

Clean driving tips

Keep your car well maintained — A poorly-maintained engine creates more air pollution and uses more fuel. Replace oil and air filters regularly. Keep your tires properly inflated.
Drive less — Carpool, walk, bike, ride the bus, or work from home to save money as well as reduce air pollution.
Don’t idle your vehicle — If you stop for more than 30 seconds, except in traffic, turn off your engine. Idling for a total of 10 minutes a day uses an average of about 22 gallons of gas per year, and pollutes the air. By turning your engine off when it isn’t moving, you’ll save money on gas. Additionally, you, and others around you, won't have to breathe unhealthy exhaust fumes.
Don’t buy more car than you need — Four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, engine size, vehicle weight, and tire size all affect the amount of fuel your vehicle uses. The more fuel it uses, the more air pollution it causes.

The Legislature passed this law to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases from cars and trucks. More than half of Washington's residents have at least one medical condition that is made worse by air pollution. Pollution from vehicle exhaust causes health problems, such as cancer and asthma, and contributes to climate change.

Motor vehicles and other types of transportation emit more than half of the greenhouse gas emissions in Washington. These greenhouse gases cause climate change. The effects of climate change in Washington include reduced snow pack, low summer stream flows, more winter flooding, sea level rise, less water for people and agriculture, and further loss of salmon habitat.

The Environmental Performance (EP) label is displayed on new vehicles for sale. The label provides greenhouse gas and smog emissions scores. The scoring system allows consumers to compare the vehicle’s greenhouse gas and smog emissions to other models. People can then make more informed decisions that include climate change impacts when buying a vehicle.

Example of Environmental Performance label

Contact information

Andrew Wineke
Communications Manager, acting
andrew.wineke@ecy.wa.gov
360-791-1939