The fate of a $100 million proposal by Gov. Jay Inslee to dramatically expand incentives for Washington residents to purchase electric vehicles remains uncertain as legislators scrutinize it.
House and Senate legislators are deciding if, and in what form, to include the measure in their operating budgets for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The state payments up to $7,500 would be coupled with federal tax credits in place of up to $7,500 for some vehicles. And they come amid debate in Washington state and elsewhere about how to structure such incentives to best maximize the amount of carbon emission reductions they achieve.
The proposal Inslee released in December would offer one year of rebates to motorists who go electric, and could set a template for future rebates. The intent is to drastically speed up the transition to electric vehicles as the state tries to meet ambitious goals of slashing carbon emissions emitted by fossil fuels to net zero by 2040, and to include more low-income people in the transition.
Washington residents who buy a new electric or fuel cell vehicle could get a $7,500 check from the state government. They could also receive a $5,000 check to purchase a used electric vehicle or $1,000 for an electric bike. The incentives also would extend to those leasing vehicles, and people who are making 60% or less of the median income could be eligible for an additional $5,000 low-income rebate, according to Anna Lising, an energy policy adviser who works in the governor’s office. The new eligible cars could cost up to $55,000 for sedans, and up to $80,000 for vans, trucks and SUVs, according to Lising.
The details would be worked out once a budget item makes it through the Legislature. (Seattle Times)
