Lawmakers in Washington state passed a bill last night that has effectively given a death sentence to gasoline-powered vehicles.
In short
The bill requires all passenger and light-duty vehicles sold or registered in 2030 or later to be powered by electricity.
That’sfive years earlier than California, which has been seen as a progressive trendsetter in the US. But not anymore! It seems Washington is set to take that crown.
An important detail
It sounds simple enough, but there is a caveat, and the state isn’t simply banning cars.
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The new bill runs alongside the roll-out of a road-usage charge. Only when three-quarters of the state’s vehicles are subject to this road-usage charge will the bill kick in.
Money generated from this road toll will be used to invest in transport infrastructure, hopefully electric car chargers and public transit.
The bill is now with Gov. Jay Inslee for signature, once that happens it will become law.
To learn more about the Clean Cars 2030 bill, take a look at Washington-based environmental activist groupColtura’s write-up.
Do EVs excite your electrons? Do ebikes get your wheels spinning? Do self-driving cars get you all charged up?
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Story byMatthew Beedham
Matthew is the editor of SHIFT. He likes electric cars, and other things with wheels, wings, or hulls.Matthew is the editor of SHIFT. He likes electric cars, and other things with wheels, wings, or hulls.
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