Washington State pushes for ban of gas cars

Electric cars are the future and some states are pondering banning gas cars by a certain year like countries in Europe are doing

Washington State’s Senate narrowly passed SB 5811 this week, paving the way for the Evergreen State to become the 12th to adopt California’s zero-emissions mandate. SB 5811 passed the House in January, and Gov. Jay Inslee is expected to sign the bill.

When that happens, the entire US west coast will require that at least 5% of auto sales are EVs, increasing to 8% by 2025.

The most immediate effect could be an increased choice of all-electric models in Washington. Some automakers elect to sell their EVs only in ZEV states. After the bill is signed into law, more of those compliance-oriented electric vehicles are expected to be offered in Washington.

Washington had adopted California emissions standards in 2005 but without the Zero-Emissions (ZEV) Mandate. The Senate’s approval of the ZEV mandate comes after years of opposition from trade associations representing major automakers.

Don Anair, research director for clean transportation at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said:

With the passage of this bill, Washington is closer to joining the 11 other states that have established successful zero-emission vehicle programs. Whatever state policymakers can do to quickly electrify transportation, clean up fuels, and reduce carbon emissions is a step in the right direction to help us avoid the worst consequences of climate change.

Ban Gas Cars Altogether

In February Washington considered a proposal for the state to refuse to register any new car that runs on gasoline by 2030. The bill failed to advance because it missed a cutoff in the legislature’s calendar. The proposed ban on gas-powered vehicles is still on the table. The bill was co-sponsored by eight committee heads in the lower chamber.

At least 13 countries and several states, including California, have either proposed or started implementing such bans.

Opponents to the proposed ban in Washington State and elsewhere include Tom Pyle, president of the nonprofit American Energy Alliance. Pyle said:

If you look at it from a purely technical, economic, and realistic standpoint, these are pipe dreams, it’s messaging. They’re aspiration and, frankly, stupid.

The gas-car ban in Washington would allow drivers who own an internal-combustion vehicle bought before 2030 to continue driving that gas or diesel car.