Clean vehicles
Transportation is our state’s biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions, so transitioning to clean vehicles is an essential part of addressing climate change. It also improves air quality.
In addition to implementing low- and zero-emission vehicle standards, we coordinate with other agencies to plan for this transition through Washington’s Electric Vehicle Council.
Achieving greenhouse gas emission standards
Washington is one of 17 states, in addition to Washington D.C., that adopts California’s vehicle emissions standards. These standards are part of a strong suite of climate policies that work together to achieve legal limits on greenhouse gas emissions. By law, Washington state is required to reduce statewide emissions 45% by 2030, 70% by 2040, and 95% by 2050.
While zero-emission vehicle standards require manufacturers to sell more electric and hybrid vehicles in Washington, low-emission vehicle standards ensure that any new internal combustion engine vehicles sold in our state produce less pollution. These standards don't impose purchasing requirements on businesses or individuals, apply to used or off-road vehicles, or ban the continued use of gas- or diesel-powered vehicles.
Ecology also required truck and bus fleets to report on their 2022 operations to help us understand how the state can help fleets transition to zero-emission vehicles. Ecology will issue a report once this data has been compiled and analyzed.
Related links
- Focus on medium- and heavy-duty low- and zero- emission vehicle standards
- EV Coordinating Council
- States that have Adopted California's Vehicle Regulations
- Responding to climate change
Contact information
Caroline Halter
Communications Manager
Caroline.Halter@ecy.wa.gov
564-669-8947
Dustin Watson
Mobile Source Air Quality Specialist
CleanVehicles@ecy.wa.gov