electric cars Archives | Northwest Public Broadcasting

Pay-Per-Mile Tax Gets A Test Drive In Washington Legislature To Augment Gas Tax

By Tom Banse February 19, 2021

Plug-in cars charge up at the Washington State Capitol Campus. A disproportionately high number of the state's legislators drive electric vehicles compared to the general population. CREDIT: TOM BANSE

Washington state senators have teed up a mileage-based tax for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles as the first step toward changing how the state pays for road maintenance and other transportation needs. Policymakers expect gas tax revenue to decline long term. Oregon has been experimenting with a per-mile charge for years. Read More

Washington Lawmakers Consider Shifting All New Car Sales To Electric Only By 2030

By Tom Banse January 29, 2021

All new cars sold in Washington state would need to be electric by 2030 if the legislature approves a pending bill. CREDIT: Tom Banse/N3

You may be used to hearing a pushy car salesperson ask the timeless question, "What can I do to get you in this car?" But one big thing could be different in Washington state a decade from now. Proposals introduced this winter in the Washington Legislature would end sales of new gasoline-powered cars in the state by 2030. Read More

States Take The Wheel Promoting Electric Cars. Not Everyone (Especially Oil Companies) Is On Board

By NPR News March 4, 2020

Pam Frank, CEO of ChargEVC, drives a bright Orange Chevrolet Bolt because she wants others to notice its an electric car. Jeff Brady/NPR

There are nearly 1.5 million electric vehicles in the U.S. today. E.V. boosters want more government incentives to increase that. With little federal movement states like New Jersey are taking action. Continue Read More

Is There Room For Hydrogen-Powered Cars In A Future That Looks Electric?

By Tom Banse April 18, 2019

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee sets out on a test drive Wednesday, April 17, 2019 in a Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car. CREDIT: TOM BANSE/N3

Today, automakers Toyota, Honda, Hyundai and Mercedes make hydrogen fuel cell electric cars in very limited numbers. None of their Pacific Northwest dealers currently stock or sell those models to local drivers. Nevertheless, Toyota is laying the groundwork to bring its hydrogen-powered vehicles to the Northwest. Read More

Incentives For Electric Car Buyers? Yes In Oregon, Maybe In Washington

By Tom Banse March 7, 2019

Electric cars parked at the Washington State Capitol. CREDIT: TOM BANSE / N3

Democrats in the Washington Legislature want to revive a tax break for buyers of electric cars, which critics view as wasteful and unnecessary. Meanwhile, a publicly-financed rebate for battery-powered cars in Oregon is finding thousands of takers. Read More

Gas-Guzzling Cities, State Blow Past Deadline For Electric Vehicles In Washington

By John Ryan June 3, 2018

A parking spot is designated for electric vehicles at the charging station outside of the Ballard Market on Monday, December 11, 2017, in Seattle. CREDIT MEGAN FARMER - KUOW

Washington state’s electric vehicle law is being widely ignored, according to a new report. June 1 was the deadline set by a decade-old law that requires vehicles in government fleets to run on electricity or biofuel. But just two percent of the state's motor pool is electric now, and many cities and counties have no electric vehicles at all. Read More