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Electric Vehicles

This page provides an overview of how local governments in Washington State can support transitions to electric vehicles (EVs) and comply with state regulations, including EV fleet laws, EV charging station requirements and considerations, examples of EV infrastructure plans and incentives, and other resources.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Goals and Emission Standards

Washington State has several goals for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including the goal to reduce overall emissions to 45% below 1990 levels by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050 (RCW 70A.45.020). For additional information on GHG reduction targets and strategies, see MRSC’s page on Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategies for Local Governments.

Vehicle Emission Standards

To limit on-road transportation emissions, the most significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, the state adopted California’s motor vehicle emissions standards, including the zero-emission vehicle program, which are more stringent than federal regulations. See RCW 70A.30.010 and chapter 173-423 WAC.

For the latest information on vehicle emission requirements, see the Department of Ecology’s page on Vehicle Emission Standards.

EV 2030 Target

The State Legislature also established through the passage of Move Ahead Washington (SB 5974) a statewide nonbinding 2030 target that “all publicly owned and privately owned passenger and light duty vehicles of model year 2030 or later that are sold, purchased, or registered in Washington state be electric vehicles” (RCW 43.392.020).

To achieve the 2030 target, Move Ahead Washington created the interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council (EVCC) and directed it to create a scoping plan, published as the Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy (2024). This report builds on earlier studies developed by several state agencies, including the Department of Commerce’s 2021 State Energy Strategy.

How Does EV Charging Work?

Electric Vehicles store their power in battery packs that must be recharged regularly. Each vehicle has a charge port that connects to a charging station, which supplies electricity to the battery. The U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center provides a detailed overview of how EV charging works, including information on charging port and connector types.

Understanding EV Charging Levels

There are three current standards for EV charging, each with different powers, volts (V), charging speeds, and electrical infrastructure needs:

  • Level 1 (120V): These are universal chargers and use standard outlets like those in homes. They are the simplest to use and do not require new electrical wiring. However, they are slow to charge, giving cars two to five miles of range for every hour they are plugged in.
  • Level 2 (240V): The most common public chargers, these require a 240VAC-dedicated circuit similar to the ones used for washer/dryers. Most homes and commercial properties have 240V lines but installing chargers could require extra electric work. These chargers add 10 to 20 miles of range for every hour of charging.
  • Level 3 (480+V): Also known as DC Fast Charge, these can recharge cars in 20 to 30 minutes and draw the most power.

Local Government Fleet Electrification Requirements

Local governments are required, “to the extent determined practicable by the rules adopted by the Department of Commerce,” to fuel 100% of publicly owned vessels, vehicles, and construction equipment with biofuel or electricity (RCW 43.19.648(2)(a)). Factors to determine practicability include cost and availability of fuels and vehicles, implementation costs, changes in fueling infrastructure, operations, technical feasibility, and others. See WAC 194-29-020(7).

Can Local Governments Exempt Certain Types of Vehicles?

A local government can exempt certain types of vehicles and fleets, such as police, fire, and other emergency response vehicles, if it believes it is not practicable to comply. If a local government exempts emergency response vehicles, it must notify the Department of Commerce as part of its annual reporting obligations, if required. See WAC 194-29-030.

What Agencies Are Required to Report Annually?

All local governments are required to comply with fueling rules (as described above), but annual reporting to the Department of Commerce is required only by agencies using more than 200,000 gallons of gas or diesel annually. See WAC 194-29-040.

Fleet Electrification Plan Examples and Resources

Public EV Charging Station Signage & Parking Requirements

Signage

State law requires that all publicly available EV charging stations, including private or publicly owned, must post signage that:

  • Indicate it is a publicly available electric vehicle charging station only available for EV charging (RCW 46.08.185(1)).
  • Is consistent with the signage requirements of the Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (RCW 46.08.185(1)).
  • Is clearly marked and describes all charges, fees, and costs prior to a user or a vehicle initiating a charging session (RCW 19.94.560).

Parking

At all publicly available EV charging stations, drivers who park in charging designated spaces without charging their vehicles are subject to fines per RCW 46.08.185(2).

Considerations for EV Charging Stations in Publicly Owned Areas

One way that local governments can encourage more widespread EV adoption is by installing publicly available EV charging stations in publicly owned areas, such as administrative buildings, park and recreation facilities, or park-and-ride lots. Below are some considerations.

How Long Can Drivers Park While Charging?

When installing public charging stations in publicly owned areas, local agencies may want to consider “dwell time,” or how long drivers can park their vehicles while charging at charging stations. Some municipalities increase fees if drivers park their cars at charging stations for extended periods. Local governments that have installed charging stations in parking garages could decide to charge only for entry and not impose additional fees to charge.

Some local governments require drivers parked at charging stations to meet parking regulations already in place; for instance, drivers may receive a ticket if they charge their vehicle for over two hours in a two-hour parking zone. Others might allow an EV to charge for a longer duration than regular on-street parking limits (e.g., four hours instead of two).

Below is an example that limits the time a driver can park while charging at a public charging station:

Is Employee Free Use of Workplace EV Charging a Gift of Public Funds?

Some local governments wonder if they must set fees for employee use of charging stations. Employees can charge their personal EVs at their offices for free or low fees if this benefit is articulated as a benefit of employment. If certain benefits are offered to employees as part of their formal compensation packages, they are not typically considered gifts of public funds. For more information, see our webpages on the Gift of Public Funds and Employee Recognition Policies.

Should Local Agencies Offer Free Public Use or Charge Rates?

Some jurisdictions offer free public charging. Some may do this based on the assumption that most charging sessions are for “topping off” batteries and that administering the fees would exceed energy costs. Others may do this to promote the use and adoption of EVs and reduce overall emissions.

Practice Tip: MRSC suggests that if a local government offers no-cost or subsidized public charging, these decisions should be tied to policies in its local climate action plan or other related efforts to demonstrate a municipal purpose/public benefit and minimize any gift of public funds concerns.

Other municipalities charge the public for use of their EV charging stations. Charging for the cost of the electricity and service ensures that a municipality does not run afoul of the prohibition on gifting of public funds.

Below are some examples of charging rates and codes authorizing usage and fees:

Can Local Governments Partner with Public or Private Electric Utilities?

Local agencies can partner with public or private electric utilities to develop EV charging stations and may provide incentives for such partnerships. The following are state regulations that allow for those partnerships to be established:

  • RCW 80.28.360 allows investor-owned utilities an incentive rate of return on charging stations developed for the benefit of ratepayers.
  • RCW 79.13.100 allows local governments to offer up to 50-year leases to private owners for installing, maintaining, and operating charging stations; public agencies must charge at least $1 per year for these leases.

Below are some examples of partnerships:

Equitable Access to EV Charging

Local agencies can help expand equitable access to EV charging by installing or incentivizing charging stations in or near communities where private EV providers might not be installing them. Access to public charging can be particularly vital, for example, in communities near major roadways, airports, and marine ports, where greenhouse gas emissions can have greater health impacts. They can also make a big difference in communities where residents might not be able to install charging equipment at home, including many renters and people in multifamily housing or other housing situations.

Below are some examples of how local agencies are incorporating equity into EV charging infrastructure:

EV Charging Infrastructure Requirements for New Developments

State law requires developers to incorporate EV charging infrastructure into certain new developments. Under RCW 19.27.540, newly constructed multifamily residential and commercial buildings that provide on-site parking must:

  • Dedicate the greater of one parking space or 10% of total parking spaces as EV charging-capable spaces with wiring installed to support charging equipment.
  • Include an additional 20% of total parking spaces as EV charger-ready, allowing chargers to be installed more easily in the future.

What types of Developments Must Comply?

All new multifamily residential or commercial developments must comply with state EV charging infrastructure requirements unless exempt.

Assembly, educational, and mercantile developments are subject to reduced requirements, with 10% of employee parking spaces required to be EV charging-capable and an additional 20% of employee parking spaces required to be EV charger-ready.

Developments categorized as utility and miscellaneous are exempt from these requirements.

Can Local Agencies Require Developers To Install More EV Charging Infrastructure Than State Law Requires?

Cities and counties may decide to require developers to install more EV charging infrastructure than what is required in state law, but they may not reduce these minimums (RCW 19.27.040). Some local governments have also included “substantially improved” buildings and parking lot expansions in their regulations.

Examples of Codes and Ordinances

What Plans and Incentives Can Local Governments Provide to Develop EV Infrastructure?

Local governments can promote the growth of EV charging infrastructure through more than just regulations and development standards. Many communities have adopted EV infrastructure plans to assess charging needs, provide policy support for regulations, and guide future investments, while others provide financial or regulatory incentives to encourage charging station installation. These strategies can help reduce barriers, increase charging availability, and support community transportation and climate goals.

EV Infrastructure Plans

EV infrastructure plans help local governments assess current and future charging needs and develop strategies to support EV adoption. These plans often set targets for EV ownership and charging station deployment, identify gaps in the existing charging network, and prioritize future investments. Many plans also emphasize equitable access to charging infrastructure by directing investments to environmental justice and historically underserved communities.

Below are examples of EV infrastructure plans:

EV Infrastructure Incentives

Expanding access to EV charging infrastructure is a key step toward electrifying the transportation system. To encourage the development of charging stations, local governments have implemented incentives that reduce barriers, lower installation costs, and support private-sector investment.

For community-based EV charging, the Department of Commerce’s Washington Electric Vehicle Charging Program funds multifamily residential, publicly accessible, fleet, and workplace charging to fill gaps from private investment.

Below are several examples of EV incentives offered by local governments:

Recommended Resources

Washington State Department of Commerce

  • Clean Transportation – Lists clean transportation funding and programs. Also, provides EV resources and clean transportation reports and studies.
  • Electric Vehicle Council Program Catalog (Excel) – Identifies funding opportunities, utility incentives, and important regulations across state agencies related to clean transportation. Regularly updated.
  • Transportation Electrification Strategy – Offers strategies to advance the state’s market and infrastructure readiness to support sales of EVs by ensuring that incentives and infrastructure are widely accessible and available.

Washing State Department of Transportation

U.S. Government

Other Agencies and Organizations


Last Modified: October 26, 2026