Source: Washington state Department of Commerce, December 17, 2020
The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $9.8 million in Electrification of Transportation Systems (ETS) grants for 14 projects in communities across the state. Priority was given to projects designed to close gaps in availability of EV charging infrastructure and aid communities disproportionately impacted by climate change and pollution from transportation systems.
Transportation is by far the largest source of greenhouse gas pollution – over 40% of all carbon emissions and a variety of co-pollutants.
Washington state is one of the top three states for EV adoption, having already surpassed Gov. Jay Inslee’s initial goal of 50,000 EVs by 2020. Investments in fast-charging infrastructure are crucial to ensuring that our state is equipped to handle the next phase of accelerated adoption of EVS called for in the 2020 Motor Vehicle Emission Standards law, requiring a percentage of yearly new vehicle sales to be zero emission.
The ETS grants are from the state’s Clean Energy Fund, established in 2013, and will result in over 320 new plugs in 11 counties installing Level 2, fast-charging and heavy duty public transportation charging stations. The initial round of 37 applications totaled $25 million in requests for funding.
“Investing in the electrification of transportation is essential to Washington’s clean energy future and for equitable economic recovery and growth throughout the state,” said Commerce Director Lisa Brown. “Importantly, these projects cover the entire state, supporting expansion of EV infrastructure that will benefit the most communities.”