New report: Washington among national leaders in electric vehicle adoption

Decade-long analysis details dramatic clean energy growth in Washington and nation

Environment Washington Research & Policy Center

SEATTLE- Washington ranks #4 in the nation for cumulative electric vehicle sales through 2020, according to a new report released today by Environment Washington Research & Policy Center. Renewables on the Rise 2021: The rapid growth of renewables, electric vehicles and other building blocks of a clean energy future documents the growth of six key clean energy technologies across the U.S. over the past decade: solar power, wind power, battery storage, energy efficiency, electric vehicles and heat pumps. As of 2020, Washington had a total of 65,611 electric vehicles on the road. Just this week, Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced an executive order that will require the state’s light duty fleet to move toward 100% zero-emission by 2035. 

“Washington is setting the pace in the race toward 100% clean and renewable energy, especially in transportation,” said Mandy Apa, Conservation Associate with Environment Washington Research & Policy Center. “Washingtonians can look forward to a cleaner, healthier future, thanks to our state’s leadership in electric vehicle adoption, zero-emission vehicle mandates, and electric vehicle rebates.”

In addition to highlighting states that have made the most progress in adopting renewable energy technologies, the research also details the rapid gains achieved nationally over the past decade. According to the report, America produced almost four times as much renewable electricity from the sun and the wind in 2020 as in 2011. Additionally, if wind, solar and geothermal generation continue growing at the same 15% annual rate, renewables could meet the nation’s current electricity needs by 2035. 

“Millions of Americans and Washingtonians are already reaping the benefits of the dramatic clean energy progress we’ve made so far,” Apa said. “But, we’ll need to keep working hard in order to transform the vision of 100% clean and renewable energy for Washington into a reality.”

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Environment Washington Research & Policy Center is dedicated to protecting our air, water and open spaces. We work to protect the places we love, advance the environmental values we share, and win real results for our environment. For more information, visit www.environmentwashingtoncenter.org.