Transportation is our state’s biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions and a leading source of air pollution. Transitioning to clean vehicles is an essential part of addressing climate change. It also reduces health risks, like asthma, by improving air quality.
Washington is one of 17 states, in addition to Washington D.C., that adopts more stringent regulations on vehicle pollution from California known as “vehicle emissions standards.”
These standards apply to automakers — not individuals or businesses. Over time, they’ll increase the number of new clean, on-road vehicles available to Washingtonians and ensure that any new combustion-engine vehicles sold in our state produce less air pollution and fewer greenhouse gases.
They won’t affect the used car market or prohibit people from continuing to use gas- or diesel-powered vehicles.
Low-emission vehicles standards vs. zero-emission vehicle standards
Washington has adopted low- and zero-emission vehicle standards. We have different low- and zero-emission vehicle standards for light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. These are industry classifications based on size and the maximum weight at which a vehicle can operate. Our standards also consider the expected pace of technological advancement for each vehicle class.
Low-emission vehicle standards ensure that all new internal combustion engine vehicles sold in our state produce less pollution. The Legislature adopted California’s low-emission vehicle standards in 2005, and they started taking effect with model year 2008 vehicles.
Zero-emission vehicle standards require manufacturers to make sure that an increasing percentage of the new cars they sell in Washington qualify as true zero-emission vehicles. The Legislature adopted California’s zero-emission vehicle standards in 2020, and they are started taking effect with model year 2025 vehicles.
True zero-emission vehicles don't produce any tailpipe pollution:
Manufacturers can also comply with zero-emission vehicle standards by selling a limited number of plug-in hybrids that meet certain all-electric range requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Since transportation produces about 40% of our state’s total greenhouse gas emissions, our vehicle emissions standards are a key part of Washington’s climate strategy. Driving the adoption of zero-emission vehicles is particularly important because they don’t produce any tailpipe emissions.
In Washington, we're especially well positioned to reduce greenhouse gases by driving more electric vehicles thanks to our relatively clean electricity. Our state has plentiful hydropower already, and the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) is driving down the use of fossil fuel generated electricity. Under CETA, Washington utilities are required to supply by 100% clean electricity by 2045.
Increasing the number of zero-emission vehicles on Washington's roads will reduce total greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 9.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide a year by 2030, according to the state’s Transportation Electrification Strategy.
Washington is required to maintain consistency with California’s vehicle emissions standards.
In 2005, the Legislature passed a law directing Ecology to implement California’s low-emission vehicle standards. In 2020, the Legislature passed another law requiring us to implement California’s zero-emission vehicle standards, as well.
Under the federal Clean Air Act, states can either follow national emissions standards or adopt California’s more stringent standards, but they can’t create their own. California’s standards align more closely with Washington’s legal limits on greenhouse gas emissions. Ultimately, Washington must reduce greenhouse gas emissions 95% by 2050 compared to a 1990 baseline. These limits are based on the latest climate science.
No. After California passes a new emissions standard, other states must implement the standard through rulemaking. California must also request a waiver from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Once the waiver is granted, the more stringent standards can be enforced.
Additionally, under the federal Clean Air Act, new vehicle emissions standards can't take effect for two model years after the rulemaking process concludes in order to give industry time to prepare.
Vehicles are classified as light, medium or heavy duty depending on their size and the maximum weight they're designed to carry, called "gross vehicle weight rating."
Light-duty vehicles are typically passenger cars used for personal commuting. Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles are typically commercial vehicles, with the exception of some larger pick-up trucks.
Gross vehicle weight rating
Classification
0-8,500 lbs.
Light duty
8,501-26,000 lbs.
Medium duty
26,001+ lbs.
Heavy duty
Low-emission vehicle standards ensure that any new combustion engine vehicle sold in Washington meets stricter air pollution and greenhouse gas emission standards.
So, if you’re shopping for a new combustion-engine vehicle in Washington, all your options will meet Washington’s standards. If you’re buying a new vehicle from another state, check with the Department of Licensing to ensure you’ll be able to register it in Washington.
Drivers looking to purchase a new vehicle will see more and more electric and plug-in hybrid options at Washington dealerships as a result of zero-emission manufacturer sales requirements.
When it comes to shopping for new vehicles, most drivers look for options that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less. With the exception of some larger medium-duty pick-up trucks, these are typically light-duty vehicles that range from four-door sedans to minivans, SUVs and smaller pick-up trucks.
Eventually, all new vehicles in this category must meet zero-emissions standards in order to be sold and registered in Washington — we'll reach that point with model year 2035 vehicles. So, once older model years are sold, new combustion-engine vehicles in this category won’t be sold or registered in Washington.
Those interested in purchasing medium- and heavy-duty vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating over 8,500 pounds will still see more and more electric and plug-in hybrid options for sale in Washington. But manufacturer sales requirements for these vehicles max out between 40% and 75% in model year 2035. So, new vehicles in this category will be sold and registered in Washington beyond model year 2035.
Zero-emission vehicle standards don't require anyone to give up their current car, and they don't affect the used car market.
It’s up to manufacturers and dealers — not drivers — to make sure the new vehicles they sell in Washington meet our low- and zero-emission standards. If you buy a new car in Washington, you’ll be able to register it in Washington.
The only time Washington drivers need to make sure they can register and license a new vehicle is if it’s purchased in another state that doesn’t adopt California’s emission standards. In that case, you can check whether the vehicle meets Washington’s standards by reviewing the Vehicle Emissions Control Information label in the engine compartment. More information can be found on the Department of Licensing’s emission requirement webpage.
Yes. Our standards don’t require anyone to get rid of their existing car, and they don’t affect used car sales.
Used cars are those with over 7,500 miles. Vehicle emissions standards don't apply to used car sales.
No. Our regulations don’t require individuals or businesses to purchase specific types of vehicles, nor do they prohibit anyone from continuing to operate a gas- or diesel-powered vehicle in Washington.
For vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating over 8,500 pounds, new internal combustion engine models can continue to be sold in Washington even as manufacturers are required to sell more electric and hybrid models.
For vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less, all new vehicles sold and registered in Washington must meet zero-emission standards starting with model year 2035. However, Washingtonians can still purchase new combustion engine vehicles from previous model years or on the used market, as well a plug-in hybrids that meet certain range requirements.
No. Our standards allow for new combustion-engine versions of these vehicles to be sold and registered in Washington now and at any time in the future.
Motorhomes have a gross vehicle weight rating over 8,500 pounds and fall into the medium- and heavy-duty vehicle categories. Manufacturers are required to sell more new electric and plug-in hybrid options in these categories, but their sales requirements max out between 40% and 75% of new vehicle sales in model year 2035.
Even though zero-emission vehicles still cost more up front, they usually have a lower total cost of ownership. So, for most drivers, choosing a zero-emission vehicle over a combustion-engine vehicle will save you money! These savings are expected to grow as purchase prices and charging infrastructure costs decline.
The main driver of these total cost of ownership savings is the fact that electricity prices are lower and more stable than gasoline or diesel fuel — this is particularly true in Washington. Zero-emission vehicles also tend to have lower maintenance costs. They don’t require oil changes, transmission fluid, spark plugs, air filters, or many other consumables found in combustion vehicles. Their brake pads usually last much longer because the vehicles capture and reuse as much as one-fifth of the energy normally lost during braking through “regenerative braking.”
Some larger zero-emission vehicles still cost more to own, but we expect to close that gap in the early 2030s. The exact timing varies by vehicle type.
Most light-duty zero-emission vehicles have a range between 150 and 400 miles. Many light-duty vehicles can reach 80% charge in 30 minutes or less, depending on the type of charger.
When it comes to medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, driving range averages 150-300 miles, but some models meant for commercial purposes can go even further.
There are more and more zero-emission models coming to market each year, ranging from small hatchbacks to luxury SUVs, and our standards are expected to drive even more innovation in this technology.
There are currently about 85 electric vehicle models on the market — a massive increase from 2020, when there were only six!
You can find these resources on FundHubWA, which allows you to search for state and federal funding sources related to climate and the environment.
Washington has already made incredible progress when it comes to increasing the availability of public charging.
The number of public charging stations across the state has more than tripled since 2014! There were 563 active public charging locations and 1,518 ports in our state 2014. In 2024, there were 2,287 active public charging locations and 6,129 ports. As we continue to build out public charging infrastructure, Washington is prioritizing our most high-traffic corridors.
The state and federal government are investing in private charging too. There are state and federal tax credits that help offset the cost of some charging infrastructure, and various state programs either fund charging infrastructure at multifamily buildings and workplaces or provide financial incentives to install charging infrastructure, such as the Clean Fuel Standard.
