Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy — Summary and Action Plan, January 2, 2024
- Issuer
- Congressional materials
Summary
The summary and action plan of the Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy, dated January 2, 2024, developed by the Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council and transmitted to the Governor and the Legislature. Its letter of introduction states the strategy was adopted at a public meeting on Nov. 30, 2023, meets the requirements of RCW 43.392.040, and under RCW 43.392.020 provides a scoping plan for the state's target that model year 2030 and later light-duty vehicles be electric. It reports that transportation accounts for 39% of the state's emissions and on-road transportation 24%, against targets of 45% below 1990 levels by 2030 and net-zero by 2050. It describes the Advanced Clean Cars I and II regulations, with a 100% zero-emissions sales requirement by 2035, and the Advanced Clean Trucks regulation. Closing tables list total funding of $818,683,000.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
Cite this document
“Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy — Summary and Action Plan, January 2, 2024.”
Original at app.leg.wa.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2024-wa-transportation-electrification-strategy-summary-0ac1fdab-1b85-4e37/
, SHA-256 ab03eca36e553e37389ef455b7a265424fa16ac3b5db276ed64358ad82beb507.Full text
Washington Transportation
Electrification Strategy
Developed by the Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council
SUMMARY AND ACTION PLAN | JANUARY 2, 2024
Letter of Introduction
January 2, 2024
To: The Honorable Jay Inslee, Governor of Washington
To: Sarah Bannister, Secretary of the Senate
To: Bernard Dean, Chief Clerk of the House
Dear Governor Inslee and Members of the Washington State Legislature:
Washington’s Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council (EV Council) is pleased to deliver to you,
and to the families and communities of our state, a summary of the Transportation Electrification
Strategy (TES) for Washington State adopted at a public meeting on Nov. 30, 2023.
The TES, its appendices and the attachments to this letter meet the requirements in RCW 43.392.040 to:
• Develop a statewide transportation electrification strategy to ensure market and infrastructure
readiness for all new vehicle sales.
• Develop a robust public and private outreach plan that includes engaging with community
organizers and the environmental justice council to develop community-driven programs to address
zero-emissions transportation needs and priorities in overburdened communities (see attached
Engagement Plan and Education Plan).
• Provide an annual report to the appropriate committees of the Legislature summarizing electric vehicle
implementation progress, gaps and resource needs (see attached Annual Report).
Further, per RCW 43.392.020, the TES adopted by the EV Council provides a scoping plan for achieving the
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.
Developing the statewide TES and implementing recommendations to equitably accelerate the transition
to electric vehicles required early and meaningful input from a wide variety of stakeholders, especially
in overburdened communities. The EV Council, co-chaired by the Departments of Commerce and
Transportation, sought input over the past year from the Washington Environmental Justice Council and
many other organizations listed in the TES. The EV Council also consulted with its 25-member Advisory
Committee — required in RCW 43.392.040(1)(e) — throughout the TES development process.
The EV Council developed the TES from the initial work in the 2021 State Energy Strategy, working
closely with the many agencies involved in aspects of electrification of transportation, and used the Joint
Transportation Committee’s June 2023 Report “Encouraging High-Consumption Fuel Users to Use
Electric Vehicles” to inform options considered in the TES. The EV Council ensured that the TES aligns with
and references several other related reports developed by WSDOT and Commerce, including:
• Washington State Transportation Carbon Reduction Strategy (2023).
• Green Electrolytic Hydrogen and Renewable Fuels Report (2023).
• Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Targets – Final Report (2023).
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 2
The TES recommends adaptive management, encouraging the incorporation of new information during
implementation. Specific reports still in development on Nov. 30, 2023, that will be incorporated include the
Joint Transportation Committee’s expected report on medium- and heavy-duty vehicle incentive strategies
and the EV battery management report that the Department of Ecology will prepare by June of 2024.
The EV Council greatly appreciates the opportunity to assess and advance Washington’s progress
on transportation electrification. The TES provides a clear path forward, aligned with our climate
and environmental justice laws, to make our electric vehicle transition as fast and as equitable as
possible. We look forward to working with policymakers across state government to implement this
comprehensive strategy.
Respectfully,
Deborah Reynolds Tonia Buell
Co-Chair, EV Council Co-Chair, EV Council
Managing Director of Clean Transportation Alternative Fuels Program Manager
Washington State Department of Commerce Washington State Department of Transportation
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 3
Overview
Washington has adopted impressive and scientifically necessary requirements for reducing greenhouse
gases (GHGs) over the coming years, including limiting emissions to 45% below 1990 levels by 2030 and
achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.1 Representing 39% of Washington’s economy-wide emissions, the
transportation sector must play a critical role in the state’s decarbonization efforts.2 Electrifying on-
road transportation, which represents 24% of the state’s emissions, and for which electric vehicle (EV)
technology is most advanced, is a critical opportunity for the state to reduce GHG emissions.3
As a national leader on climate action, Washington is already taking actionable steps toward achieving
these goals. For example, the Washington State Legislature (Legislature) adopted, and the Department
of Ecology is implementing, California’s motor vehicle emissions standards rather than the federal
government’s standards.
• For new light-duty (i.e., passenger) vehicles (LDVs), the Advanced Clean Cars I and II (ACC I and ACC II)
regulations, which require a progressively stringent zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) sales share, culminate
in a 100% sales requirement by 2035.
• For medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs), the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation requires
increasing new sales shares for larger vehicles, with 40%–75% ZEV sales required by 2035 depending
on weight class. These regulations are the driving force behind the recent acceleration in EV adoption
across the country and in Washington.
1 State of Washington Department of Ecology, “The Climate Commitment Act: Washington’s Path to Carbon Neutrality by
2050,” (n.d.).
2 State of Washington Department of Ecology, “Washington’s greenhouse gas inventory,” (n.d.).
3 State of Washington Department of Ecology, “Washington’s greenhouse gas inventory,” (n.d.).
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 4
The Legislature passed Move Ahead Washington (Chapter 182, Laws of 2022)4 in March 2022. This
monumental 16-year transportation package is known for its historic investments in transit, active
transportation, ferries, alternative fuels and rail, all intended to support mode shift, electrification of
these modes and reductions in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) along with their associated emissions. It also
established the Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council (EV Council) and a nonbinding statewide
target of reaching 100% new electric passenger vehicle sales by 2030 (2030 EV target) — five years earlier
than the 100% new ZEV sales requirement under ACC II.
The EV Council was tasked with aligning existing transportation electrification efforts across 10 state
agencies and offices and developing an equitable and inclusive statewide Transportation Electrification
Strategy (TES) pegged to the nonbinding 2030 EV target and aligned with the state’s 2030 emissions limit.
An annual report summarizing the transportation electrification–related activities and accomplishments
of the 10 agencies that make up the EV Council from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, is available on the
TES website as Appendix E.
The TES addresses three critical questions:
• First, how can Washington meet the 2030 EV target established in Move Ahead Washington?
• Second, how can Washington ensure market and infrastructure readiness for all new LDV sales being
electric?
• And third, how can Washington decarbonize the majority of the transportation system, covering all
on-road vehicles (cars, trucks and buses) and non-road vehicles (planes, boats, trains and off-road
mobile equipment), while directly and equitably benefiting vulnerable populations and overburdened
communities?
4 Chapter 182, Laws of 2022.
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 5
Key Takeaways
Emissions Reductions
The 2021 State Energy Strategy (SES) is aligned with the state’s emissions limits and shows
transportation producing only 20 million metric tons (MMT) carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) in 2030.
Although Washington’s on-road vehicles accounted for roughly 58% of state transportation sector GHG
emissions in 2019, they are likely to contribute a smaller percentage of GHG emissions over time within
the transportation sector — roughly half by 2030 — because EV technology is more advanced in on-road
transportation modes than in non-road modes. Therefore, to meet the state’s 2030 limit, GHG emissions
from on-road vehicles likely need to decrease to fewer than 10 MMT CO2e annually. The TES is the state’s
implementation roadmap for how to get there in 2030 by maximizing transportation electrification in a way
that supports other clean transportation strategies, setting Washington up for the most equitable and cost-
effective zero-emissions future possible.
1. Washington’s recent transportation electrification policies will cut the state’s on-road emissions by
more than 70% in 11 years, from 23.5 MMT in 2019 to 14.1 MMT in 2030, if successfully implemented.
State policymakers in both the executive and legislative branches should now focus efforts on supporting
implementation of existing policies (e.g., ACC II, ACT) by (1) lowering up-front EV costs, (2) making charging
easy and accessible and (3) increasing consumer and fleet manager education and awareness.
2. The Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation, which has not been adopted in Washington, is the most
powerful tool available for accelerating medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) truck electrification, and
achieving its required adoption rates would further reduce on-road 2030 emissions to 13.9 MMT. Analysis
shows ACF adoption rates would increase the number of zero-emissions MHD trucks on Washington’s roads
in 2035 by approximately 14,000 vehicles (36%), creating significant demand for the vehicle supply produced
under ACT and covering approximately 40% of total MHD trucks in Washington today.
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 6
3. Reaching the 2030 EV target would further reduce 2030 on-road emissions to 13.6 MMT, but will be
incredibly challenging and should not be counted on to get under the 2030 emissions limit. The state’s
recent adoption of ACC II is a critical component of transitioning to an EV future. Without ACC II, sales of
new electric passenger vehicles in Washington might account for only 59% of total new passenger vehicle
sales annually by 2030, compared with the 68% the state now expects to see with ACC II. Both broad-based
and additional targeted incentives are already necessary to achieve ACC II. Therefore, to further reach 100%
new electric LDV sales, the state would need to bring down EV costs substantially for all residents, likely at
the expense of more effective short-term emissions reduction strategies.
4. In addition to being essential — though insufficient — for short-term emissions reduction,
electrification remains the most effective long-term strategy for transportation decarbonization. The
climate benefits of electrification will accelerate in significance through 2050 as more gasoline and diesel
vehicles are retired and replaced by EVs powered by non-emitting electricity (due to the Clean Energy
Transformation Act [CETA]).
5. The state must also urgently pursue non-electrification policies to close the remaining gap in
expected 2030 on-road emissions. Such actions include (1) a strategic VMT-reduction policy (especially
more compact land use), (2) energy efficiency standards, (3) stronger clean fuels development and
deployment and (4) early retirement of the dirtiest MHDVs. Significant progress on each of these strategies
will likely be necessary to get under 10 MMT in on-road emissions by 2030.
Equity and Environmental Justice
Pursuant to the Move Ahead Washington legislation, the TES must ensure that “activities associated with
advancing transportation electrification benefit vulnerable populations and overburdened communities.”5
Public engagement work and consumer research during TES development confirmed that without state
action, significant inequities in the existing transportation system could continue, and in some cases
worsen, during electrification of the transportation system.
1. Survey research conducted as part of the TES shows clear adoption disparities by income and home
ownership for passenger EVs. The state must continue to measure adoption by socioeconomic factors
to ensure equitable access and awareness. The EV Council proposes the development of a Transportation
Equity Baseline across a variety of metrics, including equitable investments consistent with the Healthy
Environment for All Act of 2021 (HEAL Act). Refer to the Washington Transportation Electrification
Strategy EV Education Plan (Education Plan) for more information on the survey findings and Chapter 2
of the TES for details on equity definitions and metrics.
2. Targeted incentives are more effective than broad-based incentives, because they provide EV
adoption opportunities to vulnerable populations and consumers, organizations and businesses
operating in overburdened communities. Although broad-based LDV incentives will be important in
2024–27 for growing new EV sales before ACC II requirements ramp up, EV supply in Washington will soon
be constrained by limitations on “pooling” compliance credits among states. In other words, automakers
will need to prioritize sales in other ACC II states that trail Washington’s progress. This means incentives
starting in the late 2020s will have more of an effect on who has access to new EVs than on growing the
number of new EVs sold and increasing overall adoption.
5 Chapter 182, Laws of 2022.
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 7
Since new battery electric trucks are increasingly economical on a total cost of ownership (TCO) basis due
to current generous federal incentives, vehicle availability and charging are the more significant adoption
obstacles. To address these obstacles, incentives should be directed toward agencies, organizations and
businesses operating MHDVs in overburdened communities or toward those without the financial capital to
take on higher up-front cost to access the post-sale fuel savings.
3. The new car market was inaccessible for the vast majority of drivers before EV adoption started to
accelerate. The state cannot change that reality through consumer subsidies alone, and must pursue
additional policies and programs to reduce prices through greater availability in the used vehicle
market. Between January 2022 and June 2023, about 80% of light- and medium-duty vehicle sales were for
used cars and trucks. That dynamic is flipped for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) due to the small number
of used EVs available. Without structural reforms to regulations outside Washington’s authority (e.g., ACC
II and federal motor vehicle emissions standards), new cars will remain out of reach for most, regardless
of fuel type. The state must prioritize strategies to grow the number of used BEVs on the market, in turn
driving down prices, or the transition to EVs will remain inequitable.
4. Maximizing access to charging for residents of multifamily and low-income single-family homes —
especially renters — will be essential to eliminating disparities already developing in the EV transition.
Charging at home is by far the most
affordable and convenient way to power
an EV, but is predominantly available
only to single-family homeowners. The
state must grow its charging investments
and carefully target programs toward
maximizing residential charging for those
who face financial or legal barriers. This
will also reduce overall system costs,
which are disproportionally borne by
lower-income taxpayers and ratepayers,
because residential charging installation
is much more affordable than public
chargers.
5. Strong transportation electrification
actions, if successfully implemented,
will cut current-day air pollution
caused by on-road vehicles by more
than half in 2035, leading to health
benefits in overburdened communities.
The decline in air pollution from MHDVs,
which disproportionally operate in
overburdened communities near
airports, marine ports and highways, is
especially important. The state should
increase its air quality monitoring along
transportation corridors and hubs,
especially in neighborhoods most at risk of cumulative adverse effects, and direct additional electrification
resources to areas near ports and highways until air quality and health benefits are equitable.
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 8
In light of these findings, the EV Council developed 86 policy recommendations to enable the regulatory
and market environment needed for the strongest possible EV adoption through 2035. A companion
implementation roadmap lays out those suggested policies by priority year of action, as well as delineating
between those for legislative consideration and those for administrative action. The TES also highlights
additional strategies beyond the transportation electrification recommendations to achieve the 2030
emissions limit. The state must continue its clean transportation leadership and act urgently on all fronts to
build a cleaner, safer and more affordable transportation system for all Washington residents and businesses.
TES Implementation — 2024 Priorities
Washington has made tremendous strides in recent years to advance its climate leadership position. It
passed a landmark 100% clean electricity law, the nation’s first clean buildings standard and the nation’s
second cap-and-invest program. It also joined California, Oregon and British Columbia in the West Coast
clean fuel standard market and adopted California’s motor vehicle emissions standards. All of these
policies were built on a foundation of environmental justice through the HEAL Act and with strong labor
standards. And yet, as the TES modeling has made clear, Washington must do even more.
Given the high stakes and short time frame for closing the gap between current policy and the strongest
feasible electrification pathway, Washington must be highly focused on and organized in establishing
priorities. With this in mind, the following 2024 prioritization plan lays out a clear roadmap for 2024
legislative session recommendations and how agencies can work toward policy and program development
for the longer 2025 legislative session. Each policy includes a clearly identified agency lead and notes
expected transportation equity benefits and expected improvement in air quality in overburdened
communities.
The 2024 priorities are presented in Tables 1 and 2.
Table 1 lists new actions and emissions reductions, broken out by electrification and non-electrification
strategies, needed to close the 2030 on-road emissions gap left by current electrification and travel
efficiency policies. The table also shows estimated incremental GHG emissions reduction by strategy and
expected equity outcomes.
Achieving the additional 2030 emissions reductions in Table 1 is dependent on existing policies achieving
their full expected effect. The state should not take this for granted without further action. The EV Council
is prioritizing the recommendations in Table 1 for 2024 because urgent progress is essential to keep
Washington on pace to achieve existing policies.
Table 2 lists new and continued actions needed to successfully and equitably implement existing
transportation electrification policies, namely ACC I, ACC II and ACT.
It is challenging to isolate the effect on emissions of individual enabling actions that support existing
regulatory policies. Each of the priorities in Table 2 will be essential to achieving the modeled 9.4 MMT CO2e
reduction in 2030 on-road emissions from 2019 levels.
Readers can review Appendix D for an explanation of the emissions and equity determinations in Table 1
and Table 2.
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 9
Table 1 2024 Priorities: New Actions and Emissions Reductions Needed
to Close 2030 Emissions Gap
Legislative Agency
Recommendations* actions actions Lead Agency GHG** Equity***
Transportation Electrification
Requirements and Fund sta‘ing Work with Ecology and 230,000 Significant air
incentives for zero- needed to stakeholders to WSDOT quality
emissions MHDVs: pursue ACF consider improvement
adoptions rulemaking and
4.1 Pursue ACF rates through other policy Lower costs
adoption rates. stakeholder development
engagement needed to Increased EV
4.4 Fund and and possible achieve ACF access
implement an MHDV rulemaking. adoption rates.
incentive and
infrastructure Release Implement
program. appropriated MHDV
funding to the incentives and
Washington programs.
State
Department of
Transportation
(WSDOT) to
implement
Joint
Transportation
Committee–
recommended
program design.
Grow broad consumer Fund public Implement Commerce 20,000 Air quality
demand for passenger information public improvement
BEVs: campaign to information
increase campaign. Lower costs
3.8 Increase consumer awareness of
awareness of incentives and Increased EV
incentives. charging access
options.
3.7 Extend and expand
the state sales and use Pass legislation
tax exemptions for to extend and
BEVs. expand sales
tax exemption
for all BEVs.
4.5 Accelerate and Pass legislation Develop Ecology (with 10,000 Air quality
fund school bus and budget practical support from improvement
electrification to meet provisions implementation the o…ice of
needed adoption developed timelines and Superintendent Lower costs
rates. with needed funding. of Public
stakeholders. Instruction Increased EV
[OSPI]) access
* Numbered items in the recommendations column correspond to the policy items detailed in Chapter 5, How Washington Can Get There,
in Part I and Part II.
** The GHG column reflects estimated incremental GHG emissions reduction in 2030 (metric tons COfle).
*** The equity column reflects equity benefits, including air quality improvements in overburdened communities, and lower costs,
increased EV access and more non-driving options for vulnerable populations.
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 10
Table 1 2024 Priorities: New Actions and Emissions Reductions Needed
to Close 2030 Emissions Gap, continued
Legislative Agency
Recommendations* actions actions Lead Agency GHG** Equity***
Clean Fuels, Vehicle Efficiency and Voluntary Early Retirement
Reduce carbon None Assess needed Ecology Expected Air quality
intensity of gasoline anticipated for program to be improvement
and diesel with clean 2024 changes to substantial,
drop-in fuels: increase but more
emissions analysis is
C.1.1 Add flexibility to reductions and needed.
the Clean Fuel consider
Standard’s carbon agency-
intensity schedule. requested
legislation for
C.1.2 Increase 2025.
stringency of Clean
Fuel Standard
program.
Diesel vehicle None Develop diesel Ecology −300,000– Significant air
e–iciency standards anticipated for vehicle 700,000**** quality
2024 enforcement improvement
C.3 Enforce diesel and anti-idling
vehicle compliance. policy and Lower costs
consider
C.4 Explore an anti- introducing
idling law for ICE agency-
MHDVs. requested
legislation.
C.2 Improve vehicle Pass legislation Begin Commerce 600,000– Air quality
e–iciency with to provide rulemaking. 700,000**** improvement
lower-resistance Commerce
replacement tires. rulemaking Lower costs
authority.
C.5 Focus on high- None Pursue state Ecology 110,000– Significant air
consumption gasoline anticipated for and federal 130,000**** quality
and diesel users. 2024 funding improvement
opportunities.
* Numbered items in the recommendations column correspond to the policy items detailed in Chapter 5, How Washington Can Get There, in
Part I and Part II.
** The GHG column reflects estimated incremental GHG emissions reduction in 2030 (metric tons COfie).
*** The equity column reflects equity benefits, including air quality improvements in overburdened communities, and lower costs, increased EV
access and more non-driving options for vulnerable populations.
**** The emissions level or reduction is a preliminary estimate, not a model output, and requires additional analysis.
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 11
Table 2 2024 Priorities: Actions Needed to Successfully and Equitably
Implement Current EV Policies
Legislative Agency Lead
Recommendations* actions actions Agency Equity**
Continue funding WSDOT zero-emission None in 2024 Assess programs WSDOT Significant air
vehicle and infrastructure programs: and develop quality
funding request improvement
2.24 Continue funding WSDOT’s ZEVIP for 2025-27
grant program to provide support for biennium. Lower costs
charging along state routes.
Increased
3.6 Continue funding WSDOT’s Zero-
EV access
emissions Access Program (ZAP).
4.8 Continue funding the WSDOT Green More non-
Transportation Capital grant program. driving options
5.1 Support and expand the e-bike rebate
and lending library programs.
D.3 Continue to invest in early-stage
development of electric and hydrogen
planes.
E.1.1 Vessel decarbonization (ferry vessel
and terminal electrification).
E.1 Port decarbonization (electrification).
Expand and accelerate funding None in 2024 Assess programs Commerce Air quality
Commerce community charging and EV and develop improvement
incentive programs for low-to-moderate funding request
income (LMI) consumers: for 2025-27 Lower costs
biennium.
2.9 Expand community charging Increased
programs through formula funding. EV access
3.4 Expedite funding for Commerce’s EV
incentive program.
3.2 Create a state-supported low-cost
leasing program with an EV equity
objective.
1.6 Provide block grants to increase CBO Fund program Implement Commerce Significant air
staŽ capacity. to help CBOs program. quality
design improvement
transportation
electrification Lower costs
projects.
Increased
EV access
More non-
driving options
* Numbered items in the recommendations column correspond to the policy items detailed in Chapter 5, How Washington Can Get There,
in Part I and Part II.
** The equity column reflects equity benefits, including air quality improvements in overburdened communities, and lower costs,
increased EV access and more non-driving options for vulnerable populations.
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 12
Table 2 2024 Priorities: Actions Needed to Successfully and Equitably
Implement Current EV Policies, continued
Legislative Agency Lead
Recommendations* actions actions Agency Equity**
2.5 Support planning and building None in 2024 Finish cost Utilities and No effect
necessary utility-side charging assessment and Transportation
infrastructure. develop Commission
program as (UTC) and
funding request Commerce
or legislation.
3.14 Fund and support state agency Fund state Implement EO All state No effect
efforts to implement EO 21-04. agency fleets 21-04. cabinet
to successfully agency fleets
implement EO
21-04.
Make charging access more equitable and None in 2024 Develop suite of Commerce Air quality
speed up project timelines: policy proposals (with support improvement
to improve from UTC)
Section 2: Charging and Utility consumer Lower costs
Infrastructure experience and
equitable Increased EV
access, and access
speed up
implementation
timelines.
1.7 Monitor equity indicators and None in 2024 Examine air- Ecology, Significant air
measure outcomes. monitoring Health and quality
needs near WSDOT improvement
highways,
estimate health Lower costs
benefits of the
TES and Increased EV
implement a access
transportation
equity More non-
assessment. driving options
* Numbered items in the recommendations column correspond to the policy items detailed in Chapter 5, How Washington Can Get There,
in Part I and Part II.
** The equity column reflects equity benefits, including air quality improvements in overburdened communities, and lower costs,
increased EV access and more non-driving options for vulnerable populations.
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 13
Priorities for 2025 and Onward
The EV Council will implement the TES by immediately prioritizing these 14 sets of recommendations.
Based on progress made, it will determine 2025 priorities in fall 2024. The EV Council will then repeat the
same annual prioritization process by identifying key actions for the year ahead. TES recommendations not
included in the 2024 list are important to the transition and will be considered for prioritization in the EV
Council’s work in 2025 and the years following.
TES Development Process
The EV Council oversaw development of the TES. The EV Council is an interagency effort co-led by the
Department of Commerce and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), with
representation from the State Efficiency and Environmental Performance (SEEP) Office, the Office of Financial
Management, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the Utilities and Transportation
Commission (UTC) and the Departments of Agriculture, Ecology, Enterprise Services and Health.
Through an open and competitive proposal process in the fall of 2022, the EV Council hired a consulting
team led by RMI and supported by Cascadia Consulting Group, NW Energy Coalition, Front and Centered
and Strategic Research Associates.
The EV Council drafted the TES with significant stakeholder engagement and recommendations, including:
• The EV Infrastructure and EV Adoption Working Group, an informal committee made up of state agency
staff with experience implementing transportation electrification policies and programs.
• The Advisory Committee, a formal stakeholder group with 25 members representing a diversity of
6
perspectives, in-state geographies and industries, and informed by issue-specific subcommittees.
• Wide-reaching and diverse stakeholder engagement in the form of 40 one-on-one interviews, eight
focus groups and a survey of 3,026 residents across the state, statistically representative by gender,
age and region, to explore opinions and perspectives on EVs. The survey consisted of 30 questions,
including quota and demographic questions, and aimed to understand Washington residents’ desires
for their personal vehicles and how they think about EVs, including information gaps and myths,
perceived barriers, trusted information sources and readiness to purchase an EV.
• In-depth modeling and analysis of different policy and economic scenarios influencing the potential
rate of transportation electrification in Washington.
• Eight targeted policy workshops and three equity-focused workshops.
• The application of an equity lens to all elements of the TES, developed in partnership with community-
based organizations (CBOs) representing low-income and Black, Indigenous and People of Color
(BIPOC) communities across Washington.
6 Washington State Department of Commerce, “Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5974,” Pub. L. No. Laws of 2022, 182
Chapter (n.d.).
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 14
Addressing Transportation Electrification Inequities
The TES fits within a broader statewide commitment to reduce carbon emissions and ensure equitable
benefits flow to vulnerable populations and overburdened communities, as established through
the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), HEAL Act and other legislation. Historically, the harmful effects
of transportation and energy policies have been concentrated on lower-income communities and
communities of color.7,8 Washington’s low-income and BIPOC communities, which have contributed
the least to climate change, experience the effects first and worst. These effects are compounded by a
transportation system that disproportionately exposes low-income and BIPOC communities to pollution,
vehicle crashes and the physical barriers created by roads, train tracks and airports.9
Although addressing these effects will require efforts beyond transportation electrification alone, a
forward-looking TES can be a significant step toward redressing the effects of these past and current
inequities by advancing meaningful security, safety and sustainability within the electrified transportation
system for overburdened communities and vulnerable populations. This system should unite communities
rather than divide them; provide individuals the tools to own, govern and benefit from the energy and
transportation assets in their community; and aim to deliver jobs, community wealth and public health to
overburdened communities throughout Washington.
The relationship between transportation electrification and overburdened communities is complex. At the
surface, transportation electrification will reduce adverse health effects caused by vehicle exhaust in these
communities. However, without state action, it is possible that overburdened communities and vulnerable
populations could be further marginalized by the siting of infrastructure and requirements for technologies
that do not directly benefit them. Additionally, BIPOC communities have traditionally experienced
7 Thomas W. Sanchez, Rich Stolz and Jacinta Ma, “Inequitable Effects of Transportation Policies on Minorities,”
Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board 1885, no. 1 (January 2004).
8 Thomas W. Sanchez, “Poverty, Policy, and Public Transportation,” Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice 42, no.
5 (June 2008): 833–41.
9 Peter Huether et al., “2023 Transportation Electrification Scorecard,” ACEEE, (June 28, 2023).
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 15
higher energy burdens. Transportation electrification could risk worsening these inequities through loss
of financial equity from devalued gasoline-fueled vehicles and the higher cost of charging EVs at public
chargers versus at home.
The state bears an important responsibility to ensure that the imperative of achieving equitable outcomes
does not fall through the cracks. The TES’s recommendations include ways in which the state should use
its policy and regulatory authority to shape the market and put structures in place to ensure benefits for
overburdened communities and vulnerable populations. This means:
• Directly addressing the effects of higher costs of public charging on lower-income households that lack
access to EV charging at home. Options could include providing subsidies for lower-income EV owners,
extending rate protections to consumers at privately owned chargers and creating a system of public or
community-owned chargers.
• Codifying and enforcing consumer protections related to prices and price transparency, information
and signage, language access and alternative ways to pay (other than credit cards) to ensure that EV
charging is available to everyone. Ensuring that an equitable share of EV charging infrastructure and
its benefits is sited in overburdened communities. Options could include creating a system of public
or community-owned chargers or subsidies for companies to locate charging infrastructure in these
neighborhoods. Communities must be a part of this development to ensure solutions meet local needs.
• Requiring that chargers are regularly maintained and repaired in a timely manner, irrespective of
location, and that the siting of high-speed chargers takes into consideration the cascading effects of
lack of transportation on lower-income families and workers whose livelihoods depend on being able
to get to work on time.
• Designing and implementing robust community-based capacity building, education and outreach to
ensure equitable EV adoption.
• Prioritizing electrification of MHDVs that operate in overburdened communities, so that agencies target
the benefits of reduced air pollution from EVs to areas most at risk from current tailpipe emissions.
The TES also includes recommendations for (1) a transportation equity baseline, (2) an equitable
distribution process and (3) a clear model for adaptive management to help reach these goals.
Where Washington Is Today
Washington’s transportation system — composed of roads, ports, railways, sidewalks, bike lanes, transit
lines, vehicles small and large, and the people who operate and maintain the vehicles and infrastructure
— supports the movements of more than 7.7 million people and a $725 billion economy.10 Washington’s
transportation system is also the largest source of climate pollution in the state at 39% of total emissions,
according to Washington’s most recent official GHG inventory. Washington’s leadership in decarbonizing
transportation through electrification is critical for reducing overall emissions and driving market demand
and innovation.
10 Clifford Woodruff and Matthew von Kerczek, “Gross Domestic Product by State and Personal Income by State, 1st Quarter
2023,” Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, (June 30, 2023).
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 16
In addition to GHGs, gasoline- and diesel-fueled transportation produces air pollution that can worsen
people’s health, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), particle pollution and other hazardous air pollutants
(HAPs). Air pollution can affect everyone, though some groups are especially sensitive, including children,
older adults, pregnant people and people with health conditions.11 Other groups, including people with
low income, people of color and tribal populations, have historically encountered increased and prolonged
exposures to air pollution. Traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles also create noise pollution,
which, although invisible, can cause increases in cardiovascular disease and mortality.12 Although EVs are
required by law to make a minimum amount of sound under certain speeds for pedestrian safety reasons,
they still result in a net reduction in noise pollution (especially at the MHD scale).
Table 3 Washington’s Current Clean Transportation Requirements and Targets
Year Goal(s)
2030 EV Target — 100% of new passenger vehicles sales are electric, per Revised
Code of Washington (RCW) 43.392.020* (non-binding target).
Emissions Limit — Economy-wide GHG emissions down to 50 MMT/year, 45%
below 1990 levels, per RCW 70A.45.020.**
By 2030
30% to 50% of new MHDVs must be zero emissions depending on vehicle class,
per ACT rule.
Carbon-neutral electricity, with a maximum of 20% ofisets, per RCW 19.405.040.***
20% reduction in carbon intensity of on-road transportation fuels over 2017
By 2034
levels, per Chapter 173-424 Washington Administrative Code (WAC).****
By 2035 100% of new passenger vehicles must be electric, per ACC II rule.
Economy-wide GHG emissions down to 27 MMT/year, 70% below 1990 levels,
By 2040
per RCW 70A.45.020.
By 2045 Zero emissions electricity, per RCW 19.405.040.
Economy-wide GHG emissions down to 5 MMT/year, 95% below 1990 levels,
By 2050
per RCW 70A.45.020.
* RCW 43.392.020 – Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council – Target Established – Scoping Plan.
** RCW 70A.45.020 – Limiting Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Greenhouse gas emissions reductions – Reporting
Requirement.
*** RCW 19.405.040 – Washington Clean Energy Transformation Act – Greenhouse gas neutrality – Responsibilities
for electric utilities – Energy transformation project criteria – Penalties.
**** Chapter 173-424 WAC – Clean Fuels Program Rule
11 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Research on Health Effects from Air Pollution,” (n.d.).
12 Thomas Münzel, Mette Sørensen and Andreas Daiber, “Transportation Noise Pollution and Cardiovascular Disease,” Nature
Reviews Cardiology 18 (March 31, 2021): 619–36.
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 17
Governor Jay Inslee attends the opening of new fast chargers.
Modeling for the TES suggests that the state’s current transportation policies and programs (Table 3) —
ambitious and critical as they are — will need additional scaling and an increased implementation pace
to meet the state’s electrification, climate, health and equity targets under today’s political and market
conditions. To understand how Washington’s transportation system will change, it helps to contextualize
what vehicle adoption, driving habits and on-road GHG emissions look like today.
By the Numbers
LDVs — cars, crossovers, vans, SUVs and pickup trucks — make up the vast majority of the more than 6.5
million on-road vehicles in Washington today. Notably, although gasoline-fueled vehicles are the vast
majority of vehicles in Washington, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), in 2021,
27% of on-road fuel consumption in Washington was by diesel vehicles, indicating proportionally greater
fuel consumption per vehicle among MHDVs.13
Passenger EV adoption is on the rise. Gasoline-fueled vehicles accounted for roughly 88% of new LDV
sales in Washington in 2022, but sales data from the first five months of 2023 suggest that approximately
16% of new LDVs sold in Washington were either BEVs or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).14
However, negligible numbers of electric MHDVs were sold (not including buses). Approximately 1% and
3% of motorcycle and bus sales were electric, respectively. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s
Alternative Fuel Data Center, Washington has 910 direct current fast chargers (DCFCs) at 240 locations, and
3,493 publicly accessible Level 2 (L2) EV chargers at 1,605 locations.15
Washington’s VMT has grown along with the state’s population, although at a much slower pace. Between
1996 and 2021, Washington’s VMT per capita has declined more than that of any other U.S. state.16 As
13 U.S. Energy Information Administration, “Washington State Profile and Energy Estimates,” (n.d.).
14 John Ryan, “Electric Vehicle Sales Accelerate in Washington State,” KUOW — NPR Network, (July 28, 2023).
15 U.S. Department of Energy — Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, “Electric Vehicle Charging Station Locations,” (n.d.).
16 Elizabeth Ridlington, “Less Driving Is Possible,” Frontier Group, (May 19, 2023).
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 18
incredible as this progress has been, even larger reductions in per capita VMT, in alignment with WSDOT’s
2023 report recommending policy options at the state level and funding guidance for local jurisdictions,
will support Washington’s climate limits.17
The 2021 SES found that emissions from Washington’s transportation sector must decline from an
estimated 38 MMT CO2e in 2022 to 20 MMT CO2e or lower by 2030. On-road GHG emissions make up
approximately 58% of the state’s transportation sector emissions, suggesting that this subsector would
contribute 11.6 MMT CO2e in 2030 if this percentage stays the same. However, it is highly likely that
annual on-road emissions in 2030 must be less than 10 MMT CO2e to make up for harder-to-decarbonize
transportation subsectors, such as aviation and marine.
Washington Residents’ Perceptions about Transportation Electrification
For Washington to successfully meet its goals, it is essential to understand not only the current
transportation sector but also the barriers state residents face (or perceive they face) in the transition to
an electric transportation system. As part of the TES public engagement process, the consulting team
collected testimonials from a diverse group of Washingtonians on the kinds of barriers that exist for
transportation electrification, with a focus on overburdened communities and vulnerable populations.
Such discussions covered topics including:
• Public charger availability and accessibility
• The cost to purchase and charge EVs
• Supporting policies and funding at the local, state and national level
• Public understanding and excitement about EVs
• Demand on the power grid
• Inequities for overburdened communities in the electrification transition
Discussions with these diverse groups, covering the topics noted above and other aspects of transportation
electrification, have directly influenced policy development and implementation plan creation.
Where Washington Needs to Go
RMI conducted extensive modeling to explore how on-road EV adoption and charging needs in Washington
may progress over time. The analysis to support the TES included two stages: (1) an EV adoption model,
which estimates EV sales and overall vehicle population from 2023 through 2035 using a combination of
bottom-up economic analysis and top-down policy requirements such as the ACC II and ACT regulations
and (2) an assessment of anticipated EV charging needs, using the number of EVs estimated through the
adoption model combined with local trip data.
17 Roger Millar and Norene Pen, “Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Targets - Final Report,” Washington State Department of
Transportation, (June 2023).
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 19
The modeling demonstrates the wide variety of potential outcomes that might be expected based on
different assumptions about future economic, policy and customer preferences. Several clear themes
emerged, ordered below by priority and potential impact:
1. The state’s adoption of ACC II is a critical component of transitioning to an EV future. However,
achieving the regulation’s sales requirements will happen only with additional actions to undergird
the policy, such as infrastructure build-out, consumer education and reduced purchase price. ACC
II requires light-duty ZEV sales in the state to account for 68% of new LDV sales in 2030 and 100%
of new LDV sales by 2035, while the separate 2030 EV target sets an accelerated goal of reaching
100% by 2030. Without ACC II, the state would otherwise expect sales of electric and plug-in hybrid
electric LDVs to represent only approximately 59% of new LDV sales in 2030 — far short of the
68% requirement and 100% goal (Figure 1). This finding underscores the need for supplementary
investments to ensure ACC II is successfully and equitably implemented.
Figure 1 Estimated Light-duty Vehicle Sales, ACC II and Economics Alone
EV PHEV ICE-Gasoline
LDV Sales Share Under ACC II LDV Sales Based on Economics Alone
100% 100%
80% 80%
2030: 68% 2030: 59%
ZEV Sales ZEV Sales
60% 60%
40% 40%
20% 20%
0% 0%
2023 2025 2030 2035 2023 2025 2030 2035
Note: The dip in EV sales share in the right-hand chart beginning in 2033 is due to anticipated expiration of federal tax credits extended and
modified by the Inflation Reduction Act.
2. The ACF regulation is one of the most powerful levers available to the state for accelerating
MHD truck electrification (Figure 2). By limiting usable lifetimes and setting purchase requirements
for specific market segments, ACF ensures that high-impact, electrifiable fleets replace their vehicles.
This purchase requirement creates significant demand for the vehicle supply produced under ACT.
Further, given that drayage trucks, state and local vehicles, and high-priority fleets — targeted under
ACF — comprise a significant number of vehicles (estimated at approximately 40% of total MHD
trucks in Washington in 2023), this regulation is uniquely positioned to encourage MHD electrification
broadly if adopted.
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 20
Figure 2 Zero-Emissions Medium- and Heavy-Duty Truck Population
Under ACT and ACF
Strong
50,000 Electrification
Policy Scenario
(ACT + ACF)
40,000
Baseline
Scenario (ACT)
30,000
20,000
Additional Zero-
10,000 Emissions
Trucks Under
ACF
0
2023 2025 2027 2029 2031 2033 2035
Note: The Strong Electrification Policy scenario (upper sales share line in chart) includes incentives for MHD truck
electrification in addition to those in the ACF regulation.
3. Ensuring EV purchase prices are affordable is a key strategy for getting closer to sales and
emissions goals, especially for lower-income residents. Focusing on reducing costs in the near term
drives higher adoption before the 2035 ACC II requirements and 2030 EV target have clear effects. This
supports faster electrification and thereby larger retirements of polluting gasoline-fueled vehicles.
4. Supporting transportation options for people with lower incomes will be essential for attaining
state goals for electrification, climate and equity. The state will need to ensure that sufficient
incentives, charging infrastructure, education and outreach are provided to those least able to afford
to lease or purchase an EV and help make desirable EV adoption levels a reality.
5. Truck electrification is increasingly economical on a TCO basis, due in large part to the incentives
provided through the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Although up-front costs can still represent
a barrier, lifetime cost savings present opportunities to scale up electrification of these vehicles,
beyond the levels required in the ACT regulation. To ensure truck electrification can drive maximum
impact and scale up rapidly, Washington should focus on vehicles with strong potential to reduce local
air pollution, removing bottlenecks such as vehicle availability constraints and delays in deploying
EV supply equipment (EVSE – generally, charging stations) and providing education and technical
assistance to fleet managers.
6. The pace of installing charging infrastructure for LDVs and MHDVs needs to accelerate
significantly, indicating a clear role for supportive policies. In 2035 Washington will require more
than 20 times more EV charging plugs than the TES model suggests is needed today.
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 21
7. Ensuring availability of home (or neighborhood) charging for multifamily homes meaningfully
reduces total public charging network requirements, providing both cost savings and equity
benefits. Figure 3 depicts the estimated number of residential charging ports for both single-family
and multifamily dwellings required to support LDVs in the Strong Electrification Policy scenario,
totaling more than 2.9 million by 2035. Supplementing direct on-site charging with neighborhood
charging options in close proximity to multifamily homes will be an important strategy for providing
this level of access for residents of multiunit dwellings.
Figure 3. Cumulative Residential Charging Ports Required, Strong
Electrification Policy Scenario
Single-Family Home, L2 Charging Ports Multifamily Home, L2 Charging Ports
2035 2.4M 565.5K
2034 2.1M 468.6K
2033 1.8M 384.3K
2032 1.6M 309.5K
2031 1.3M
2030 1.1M
2029 869.4K
2028 684.1K
2027 523.2K
2026 386.4K
2025 281.5K
2024
2023
8. Reducing VMT and total vehicle stock, while shifting new sales to lighter-weight vehicles, has
significant potential for reducing GHG and local air pollutant emissions, as well as total costs.
9. Bus electrification, especially school bus electrification, requires continued policy support to
increase market share. This support is needed from the state and local level, as well as through
flexible federal funding and continued dedicated federal funding such as the Low or No Emissions
grant and the Clean School Bus program.
10. Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are likely to eventually play a role in heavy-duty (HD)
truck and transit bus electrification. The market share these vehicles will obtain remains unclear,
but at present battery electric alternatives appear likely to be the primary technology for many
applications and duty cycles — especially for LDVs — based on TCO analysis. As both the state’s
hydrogen economy and FCEV technology mature through 2035, the role played by these vehicles
will become increasingly clear. The state should continue to monitor and track the development of
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 22
FCEV technology and costs, and over time consider how these vehicles can contribute to meeting
transportation sector emissions reduction targets. Per RCW 43.330.570,18 the Department of
Commerce’s Office of Hydrogen and Renewable Fuels delivered a Hydrogen and Renewable Fuels
2023 Legislative Report to the Legislature in December 2023, which should inform this assessment.
Additional analysis on FCEV cost outlooks is included in Appendix D.
11. Washington will need to take other actions for non-road vehicles, such as planes, boats
and trains, which represent approximately 42% of the state’s transportation-related emissions.
Accelerating electrification and emissions reduction policy measures addressing non-road vehicles
will be vital for meeting emissions targets.
Recommendation: Focus Efforts on Achieving the Strong Electrification Policy
Scenario
The state will need to focus on the levers it most readily has available to promote transportation
electrification, equity and alignment with climate goals. Accordingly, focusing on the Strong Electrification
Policy scenario (also referred to as Scenario 3 or S3, which is described in further detail in Chapter 4) is
likely to provide the best combination of attainable policy options and feasible programs to implement.
18 RCW 43.330.570 – Office of renewable fuels – Duties.
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 23
For the state to align EV sales trajectories with the Strong Electrification Policy scenario, several key actions
will be required.
1. Providing enhanced state incentives for ZEVs and EV charging infrastructure. Examples include
extending and simplifying the EV sales tax exemption; providing a larger incentive value (e.g., $5,000) in
the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Incentive administered by the Department of Commerce, with a particular
focus on overburdened communities and vulnerable populations; increasing the charging and clean
fuels subsidies provided through the Department of Ecology’s Clean Fuel Standard through 2035;
and working with electric utilities to provide higher EVSE incentives for residential and commercial
customers (e.g., $800/residential EVSE through 2035 versus $400 through 2028 in the baseline scenario).
2. Ensuring that federal incentives are used to the greatest extent possible. Examples include
promoting the availability of the Clean Vehicle Credit and Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit
so that more EV sales in the state are subsidized primarily by the federal government, and promoting
adherence to the requirements for full rather than partial compliance with the Alternative Fuel
Refueling Property Credit, such as meeting prevailing wage requirements. The state should continue
to monitor and track applicable federal programs and share information with local government,
industry and residents to support effective utilization of federal incentives.
3. Achieving ACF adoption rates to complement the existing ACT regulation. Having adopted
California’s motor vehicle emissions standards under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, Washington may
have the ability to adopt and implement the ACF rule or a policy that creates ACF-like adoption rates,
in addition to ACT. The Department of Ecology is currently monitoring California’s actions to finalize
ACF given its existing mandate from the Legislature. The accelerated purchase requirements for MHD
vehicles in ACF have a meaningful effect on electric and FCEV truck adoption in the state because
these requirements are applicable to an estimated 40% of the state’s MHD vehicles. The EV Council
anticipates ACF to provide commensurate levels of incremental GHG and local air pollutant emissions
reductions, beyond those associated with ACT.
4. Conducting education and awareness campaigns to promote the benefits of EVs, available EV
programs and increasing affordability of EVs. The Strong Electrification Policy scenario assumes
stronger consumer interest in EVs as a proxy for effective messaging and education about the benefits
of these vehicles. To make this assumption a reality, the state can invest in meaningful education and
engagement activities, beginning with the Education Plan and the Washington State Transportation
Electrification Engagement Plan (Engagement Plan) developed for the TES.
In addition to these key policies, the state should consider the strategies embedded within several of
the “exploratory” scenarios modeled, which rely heavily on VMT reduction and vehicle stock change
assumptions to achieve lower emissions rates than will be attainable through vehicle electrification alone.
How Washington Can Get There
In recognition of the challenge to meeting state goals identified within the modeling, the TES outlines
critical technological, financial and institutional barriers that the state will need to address to meet its
transportation electrification targets, briefly summarized in Table 4.
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 24
Table 4 Technological, Financial and Institutional Barriers
Technological Financial Institutional
Product supply chain limitations Lack of cost parity between EVs and ICE Charging infrastructure
have led to both EV production vehicles can make it difficult or impossible development can face delays due
challenges and reduced availability for some consumers to transition. This to challenges caused by local
of fast-charging infrastructure. This barrier is worsened by the existence of a permitting processes, timelines,
has led to a mismatch between limited market for used EVs. Additionally, regulatory procedures for grid-
available EV stock and consumer not all EV models qualify for federal tax side utility upgrades and supply
preferences (e.g., aordable models credits, and historically, incentives have been chain constraints for electrical
like the Chevrolet Bolt, all-electric provided in the form of tax credits rather than equipment, among other
three-row SUVs, trucks, and vans) “on the hood” point-of-sale rebates. institutional barriers.
and a lack of available material for
fast-charging hardware, lithium, and Installation of EVSE can have high up- Lack of clear and consistent EV
other components (particularly front capital costs, including costs to signage creates difficulty locating
switchgear and transformers) critical upgrade grid infrastructure, and and subsequently using chargers.
to EVs and EVSE. challenging business models. Furthermore,
many individuals find it challenging to There is a lack of community
Current charging infrastructure is access federal, state, private and utility support and buy-in due to
generally decentralized, can be funding to defray the costs of charging perceived or real safety concerns;
unreliable, lacks interoperability infrastructure. insufficient data for personal and
and, due to slow speeds, can result business decision-making;
in queues for open chargers. Operating costs for public EV charging questions about range, weather
lack transparency, and significant price and towing capacity; and real or
Grid infrastructure is insufficient to variability between at-home and public perceived concerns regarding the
meet anticipated charging needs in charging disproportionately affects ethical and environmental
later years in many locations, and renters and residents of multifamily impacts of material extraction and
likely in the near term for areas homes. Additionally, fleet operators and recycling. These are worsened by a
with concentrations of MHDVs businesses are unaccustomed to negotiating confusing policy and incentive
which will require higher-power charging agreements and see it as complex landscape and information gaps for
charging. Additionally, Washington and full of risk. consumers shopping for a new
will need to increase investments in vehicle.
energy eiciency and demand Absent eective regulation, managed
management, and generate or import charging and other strategies to better use A limited workforce means a lack
suicient renewable energy to ensure grid capacity, energy burdens could of technicians to service EVs, and
transportation electrification is increase for low-income households if of engineers, electricians and
powered by zero-carbon electricity. utility rates increase to support charging technicians to install and
infrastructure. maintain EVSE and related grid
Trip range can be limited by infrastructure. Additionally,
negative weather impacts on On average, existing passenger cars o⁄en increasing this limited workforce
battery capacity and can be stay on the road for approximately 15 needs to be balanced with job
worsened by lack of EVSE years, given the cost of replacing vehicles security for the existing workforce,
infrastructure. Specific vehicle and because older cars oƒen move into the including those who currently work
types, such as electric buses, fleet used car market rather than being taken o with ICE vehicles.
vehicles and used EVs are likely to the road.
face higher barriers. Charging infrastructure,
especially for MHDVs, will require
significantly more real estate than
diesel fueling.
Slow turnover of existing vehicle
stock can limit implementation
timelines. Many cities limit the
number of electric buses they can
procure based on their current stock
of buses that are still in operation.
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 25
To overcome these barriers, to enable a regulatory and market environment to facilitate EV adoption rates
at the pace envisioned in the Strong Electrification Policy scenario and to achieve Washington’s climate
and equity goals, the state will need to enact a collection of supplemental policies across six categories:
consumer education and capacity building, charging and utility infrastructure, LDVs, MHDVs, electrified
micromobility and workforce. This approach not only accounts for the need to transition vehicles, but
importantly, continues to develop the ecosystem needed to effectively and equitably transition to an
electrified transportation system.
A total of 86 policies are included across these six categories. Detailed descriptions can be found in Chapter
5, Part I – Achieving the Strong Electrification Scenario.
Additionally, to achieve the state’s 2030 GHG emissions limit, it is likely that on-road emissions must be
less than 10 MMT CO2e to make up for harder-to-decarbonize sectors and subsectors, including non-road
transportation.
RMI modeling shows that maximum feasible EV adoption still leaves an approximate 4 MMT CO2e gap
in emissions reductions in 2030 relative to the 10 MMT CO2e threshold. Given the state’s commitment to
reaching its 2030 emissions limit, it must consider significant new investments beyond the transportation
electrification recommendations laid out in this strategy (Table 5). Although EVs are part of a holistic
transportation landscape, they cannot be separated from land use, safety, transit, active transportation,
fuel economy and clean fuels. For this reason, the EV Council lays out additional policies in Chapter 5, Part
II – Closing the 2030 Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emissions Gap, because the state will need to consider
developing and implementing strategies to achieve the following objectives:
• Speed up retirement of the highest-emitting ICE vehicles
• Increase vehicle energy efficiency
• Decarbonize non-road vehicles (e.g., aviation, maritime)
• Reduce VMT by supplementing existing state efforts
Table 5 Strategies to Achieve 10 MMT CO2e in 2030 On-Road Emissions
2030 Incremental
Strategy emissions reduction
Successfully implement current EV and VMT policies 14.1 MMT 9.4 MMT
(from 2019 levels)
Take stronger electrification actions 13.9 MMT 0.2 MMT
Reduce VMT per capita by 17% instead of 6% ˜13.2 MMT* ˜0.7 MMT*
Require vehicle efficiencies and fund early ICE vehicle
˜12.0 MMT* ˜1.2 MMT*
retirement
Reduce carbon intensity of gasoline and diesel ˜10.0 MMT* ˜2.0 MMT*
* The emissions level or reduction is a preliminary estimate, not a model output, and requires additional analysis.
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 26
2030 EV Target Is an Aspirational Stretch Goal, but Likely Infeasible
Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 43.392.02019 requires the EV Council complete a scoping plan for
achieving the 2030 EV target. The EV Council decided to complete this analysis within the TES, and it is
embedded throughout this report. The actions needed to achieve 100% new light-duty EV sales by 2030 are
also needed to achieve the 68% sales share projected by 2030 in the Strong Electrification Policy scenario
(S3). Therefore, the policy recommendations in Chapter 4 should be considered key elements of the
required scoping plan.
This divide raises the question: How could the state go from reaching 68% to 100% EV market share in
2030? The TES model uses a sensitivity analysis to assess the difference between these versions of the
future. For the preferred Strong Electrification Policy scenario (S3), that sensitivity analysis is labeled S3b
throughout the TES.
In addition to the recommended Strong Electrification Policy approach detailed throughout the rest of this
report, such a scenario (S3b) would require:
• Rebates amounting to $9,000 per sedan and $11,000 per light truck or SUV or more in 2030 above the
incentives required to reach the ACC II’s 2030 sales goal
• Approximately 185,000 additional charging ports by 2030 at an additional expense ranging from $200
million to $520 million
• Voluntary discontinuation of non-electric LDV production and sales by all automakers and dealers
Because S3b would likely be infeasibly expensive, would depend on factors largely outside the state’s
control (e.g., fossil fuel prices, automaker and dealership voluntary decision-making) and would result in a
relatively modest 0.3 MMT decline in 2030 emissions compared with Scenario 3, the EV Council selected the
more feasible and still very strong electrification pathway in Scenario 3 as the preferred scenario to use as
the TES foundation.
Recognizing the importance of bold targets to drive urgency in climate action, the EV Council and its
member agencies will continue to pursue the 2030 EV target set by the Legislature as an aspirational stretch
goal. It will also urge state policymakers to consider the cost per metric ton CO2e avoided when evaluating
different program investments to stay under the 2030 emissions limit.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Continuous Improvement
Successful implementation of Washington’s transition to an electric transportation system will be
measured in EVs on the road, EV chargers installed, air quality improvements and real and direct equitable
outcomes for overburdened communities and vulnerable populations. To that end, the state will publicly
track the key performance indicators listed below and publish an annual report.
In addition, the EV Council is committed to an adaptive management process to ensure that policies and
programs are having their intended effects and that policies and programs remain flexible and iterative
19 RCW 43.392.020 – Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council – Target Established – Scoping Plan.
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 27
in the face of a changing market and policy landscape. The annual report will assess progress, identify
roadblocks and recommend course corrections as necessary to achieve desired outcomes. Metrics will
include several indicators to assess changes to charging infrastructure, LDV and MHDV adoption, EV miles
traveled, GHG emissions and air pollutants, and equity and environmental justice indicators.
As a first step in successfully tracking relevant metrics, the EV Council, through the lead of each designated
agency, must:
• Establish methods of data collection and tracking for any new key performance indicators and set
baselines for any new information.
• Develop thresholds or goals by date for each indicator, if possible and if not already established.
• If too much uncertainty exists to establish a reliable threshold or goal, establish directional indicators
(positive, negative) for guidance.
As a reference, the Strong Electrification Policy scenario (S3) establishes guiding metrics that the state
can use to benchmark its progress (Figure 4). These metrics, as well as those from all modeled outcomes
of different scenarios and sensitivities tested as part of developing the TES, can be explored on the
Washington TES User-Interactive Dashboard, found on the TES website.20
Importantly, the metrics from the modeling should be considered directional and indicative, rather than
precise. State staff and interested stakeholders can use the metrics as general guidance when considering
Washington’s success in reaching state goals.
Figure 4 Washington EV Adoption and Infrastructure Milestones
Strong Electrification Policy Key + 2030 Electric LDV Sales Target
101k 101k Electric LDVs sold 284k 411k Electric LDVs sold 426k 426k Electric LDVs sold
3k 3k Electric MHDVs sold 5k 5k Electric MHDVs sold 7k 7k Electric MHDVs sold
223k 223k L2 chargers 1,291k 1,475k L2 chargers 2,989k 3,385k L2 chargers
2k 2k DCFCs 7k 8k DCFCs 11k 12k DCFCs
1k 1k MHDV and bus chargers 7k 7k MHDV and bus chargers 12k 12k MHDV and bus chargers
20.6 20.6 MMT GHG emissions 13.9 13.6 MMT GHG emissions 8.8 8.2 MMT GHG emissions
2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035
192k 192k Electric LDVs sold 363k 416k Electric LDVs sold
5k 5k Electric MHDVs sold 6k 6k Electric MHDVs sold
611k 613k L2 chargers 2,243k 2,610k L2 chargers
4k 4k DCFCs 9k 11k DCFCs
3k 3k MHDV and bus chargers 10k 10k MHDV and bus chargers
17.3 17.3 MMT GHG emissions 10.7 10.1 MMT GHG emissions
20 Washington TES User-Interactive Dashboard, found on the TES website.
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 28
Building Awareness and Capacity
Although the state has existing programs and policies to bring down EV costs and build out charging
infrastructure, it has not yet taken action to provide good-quality public information so both consumers
and fleet managers can navigate a new, complex and quickly changing EV industry. If up-front cost and
charging are the first two legs of the EV transition stool, education and awareness is the third. Declining
prices and expanded charging infrastructure only drive adoption as far as people know about them.
Recognizing this gap, the EV Council hired Cascadia Consulting to develop an EV Education Plan to increase
awareness and a TES Engagement Plan to improve state-level decision-making with on-the-ground
information and input.
EV Education Plan
A crucial element for Washington’s success in meeting its goals is to ensure that Washington residents have
information and awareness regarding EVs. The EV Education Plan’s goal is to accelerate the adoption of
personal EVs in Washington. To that end, the EV Education Plan aims to serve as an evidence-based guide
for a short-term (one- to two-year) marketing campaign to provide Washingtonians with the information
they need to buy or lease EVs. This involves raising awareness of EVs, providing information and pointing
consumers to places where they can determine which EV is best for them and their lifestyle. The EV
Education Plan is a guide to overcoming Washingtonians’ barriers to and concerns about switching to EVs
to facilitate EV purchasing and leasing.
The plan draws from a literature review of existing EV Education Plans, a statewide EV market research
survey administered in the spring of 2023 and one-on-one interviews and focus groups conducted as part
of the TES’s formative engagement.
According to the market research survey, the top three barriers to EV adoption — whether perceived or real
— are universal across target audiences (Figure 5).
Figure 5 Top Three Barriers to EV Adoption
COST
The up-front cost of buying an EV
RANGE AND CHARGING
EVs do not have enough range and there are not enough charging stations
TECHNOLOGY WILL BECOME OUTDATED
Concern about EV technology changing fast and not wanting a vehicle that will be outdated
The statements in Figure 6 are perceptions (again, accurate or misconceptions) that survey respondents
reported with the most frequency as making them less enthusiastic about EVs. Although not explicitly
barriers, these statements can factor into individual decisions not to purchase or lease EVs or to delay
doing so, and therefore should be addressed through educational messaging and strategies.
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 29
Figure 6 Survey Respondents’ Perceptions
The EV Education Plan includes messaging opportunities, trusted information channels, equity
considerations, strategies and monitoring and evaluation criteria.
TES Engagement Plan
The TES Engagement Plan’s goal is to provide a roadmap for engaging key audiences and Washington
communities on policies and programs that will be implemented under the umbrella of the TES. It is
complementary to the TES implementation plan and focuses on providing guidance regarding which
audiences need to be engaged on specific policy recommendations in the TES, and how to inform them,
seek their input, involve them in planning and implementation, and collaborate with them.
This engagement plan incorporates Washington audiences’ and community members’ input, priorities and
recommendations, and builds on extensive community feedback from several months of engagement and
a literature review.
The plan is divided into three parts (Table 6).
Table 6 TES Engagement Plan
Part One Part Two Part Three
Engagement Principles TES Engagement Strategies, A Guide to TES
and Methods Actions and Activities Implementation
Engagement
This section notes the This section outlines the
guiding principles for recommended ongoing This section lists key
engagement, including engagement strategies, actions audiences identified in
stages of engagement and associated activities. It also formative engagement,
and equity oers recommendations on provides specific guidance on
considerations. messaging to audiences whose which audiences and
input is sought. communities to engage, and
oers a matrix of engagement
and activities for each policy
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 30
The TES Engagement Plan identifies four key strategies for ongoing statewide engagement for the
implementation of TES programs and policies. These strategies are supported by actions, specific activities
and key performance indicators, and are as follows:
• Strategy 1: Cultivate an audience network
• Strategy 2: Establish an audience engagement framework
• Strategy 3: Engage key audiences and Washington communities
• Strategy 4: Conduct monitoring and evaluation
This document also serves as a guide to TES implementation engagement and serves as a complement to
other TES documents. The TES Engagement Plan identifies lead agencies and programs for specific policies
and programs in the TES, recommends integration into existing state infrastructure and funding streams,
and provides next steps for implementing those programs and policies. The TES Engagement Plan outlines
the ingredients for facilitating partnerships and engaging audiences that will support the advancement of
TES programs and policies.
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 31
Call to Action
Washington’s TES builds on years of state leadership and recent historic federal investment in
transportation decarbonization. Against this backdrop, the state’s focus is to ensure that the transition
to an electrified transportation system is as efficient, equitable and effective as possible. Due to the slow
nature of vehicle stock turnover, analysis and modeling from this report highlights that the next five
years, and even the next two years, are critical for the state to meet its important climate requirements.
The EV Council designed the policy recommendations and implementation plan in this report to meet
Washington’s emissions limits through setting up the supportive infrastructure necessary for rapid
scaling, intentionally and proactively directing benefits to overburdened communities and vulnerable
populations, and ensuring that the electrification transition supports the state’s wider decarbonization
targets in 2030, 2040 and beyond.
Washington is among the first states to develop a truly holistic plan for equitably transitioning to a
predominantly electric transportation system. With this report, Washington commits to following
up its nation-leading policy obligations with actionable plans and impactful programs to achieve its
climate and equity goals.
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 32
Acknowledgments
EV Council agency representatives thank Governor Jay Inslee and the Washington State Legislature for their
vision and leadership.
The development of the Transportation Electrification Strategy would not have been possible without the
contributions of countless individuals within the executive branch.
EV Council Agencies and Governor’s Office
Department of Commerce Utilities and Transportation Commission
Deborah Reynolds**, Glenn Blackmon, Steven Aaron Cahen*, Andrew Sellards
Hershkowitz, Larry Mattson, Steven Polunsky,
Andrew Rector, Emma Wyma Department of Agriculture
Tahis McQueen*, Kelly McClain, Julia
Department of Transportation Terlinchamp
Tonia Buell**, Kevin Bartoy, Alon Bassok, Barb
Chamberlain, Emily Geralds, Celeste Gilman, Department of Ecology
Steve Holloway, Doris Karolczyk, Charlene Kay, Joshua Grandbouche*, Abbey Brown, Courtney
Karin Landsberg, Justin Nawrocki, Jonathan Cecale, Joel Creswell, Debebe Dererie,
Olds, Kara Symonds Sean Lundblad, Caroline Mellor, Mehjabeen
Rahman, Adam Saul, Jill Schulte, Rebecca
State Efficiency and Environmental Sears, Molly Spiller, Ron Stuart, Dustin Watson
Performance Office
Hanna Waterstrat*, Angie Fitchner, Seth Department of Enterprise Services
Kolodziejski Courtney Speer*, Rick Bushnell, Ann Larson,
Office of Financial Management Jonathan Lucas
Erik Hansen*, Tiff West
Department of Health
Office of Superintendent for Public Kaitlyn Kelly*, Jeffrey Bryant, Julie Fox
Instruction
Patti Enbody*, Chris Jose Governor’s Office
Debbie Driver, Anna Lising
*Primary EV Council members **EV Council Co-chairs
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 33
Acknowledgments
Additional thanks to the members of the 2023 EV Council Advisory Committee, who contributed their time
and expertise to informing and improving the Transportation Electrification Strategy; to the hundreds of
stakeholders who participated in meetings and task forces and who commented on the report; and to the
consulting team for their support of this process.
2023 EV Council Advisory Committee
Paula Sardinas* Steve Douglas Bryan Imai Julia Peacock Angela Song
Ryan Bradt* Mike Ennis Jay Kimball Matthew Pleasants Huoi Trieu
Kimberly Alejandro Maya Gillett Jason Lien Laura Ray Tracey Whitten
Susan Baird-Joshi Nicola Graham Leah Missik Amy Shatzkin Kyla Wilson
Dan Bowerson Darrell Herling Heather Mulligan Jeremy Smithson Monica Zazueta
Tanya Dion Sara Hetrick
*2023 Advisory Committee Co-Chairs
Consulting team
• RMI: Hannah Thonet, Ben Shapiro, Molly Freed, Hannah Lindsell, Anna Zetkulic, Jacob Corvidae,
Aradhana Gahlaut, Matt Miccioli, Dave Mullaney, Nick Pesta, Nocona Sanders, Drew Veysey, Gerard
Westhoff, Matt Wilde
• Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc.: Gretchen Muller, Laura Baetscher, Jasmine Beverly, Alexandra
Brown-Law
• NW Energy Coalition: Annabel Drayton, Lauren McCloy, Charlee Thompson
• Front and Centered: Aaron Fishbone, Deric Gruen, Paulo Nunes-Ueno, Rich Stolz
• Strategic Research Associates: Data Collection Team at Strategic Research Associates of Spokane
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 34
© 2023 Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy | Executive Summary Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council 35
Washington State
Transportation Electrification Strategy
Engagement Plan
Prepared by
Cascadia Consulting Group
for the Washington Interagency Electric
Vehicle Coordinating Council and Washington
State Department of Commerce
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Contents
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................................... 2
Overview and Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 3
How to Read This Document ................................................................................................................... 5
How We Developed the Engagement Plan .............................................................................................. 5
Part One: Engagement Principles ............................................................................................................... 6
Levels of Engagement .............................................................................................................................. 7
Equity Considerations .............................................................................................................................. 8
Part Two: TES Engagement Strategies, Actions, and Activities................................................................ 11
Strategy #1: Cultivate an audience network ..................................................................................... 12
Strategy #2: Establish an audience engagement framework ........................................................... 18
Strategy #3: Engage key audiences and Washington communities ................................................. 25
Strategy #4: Funding .......................................................................................................................... 29
Strategy #5: Monitoring and evaluation ............................................................................................ 31
Part Three: A Guide to TES Implementation Engagement ....................................................................... 32
Performance Metrics .......................................................................................................................... 33
Timeline .............................................................................................................................................. 33
Engagement on Policy Recommendations: A Guide ........................................................................ 35
Appendix A: How We Developed This Plan ............................................................................................... 44
How We Developed This Plan ................................................................................................................ 45
Literature Review ............................................................................................................................... 45
Formative Engagement Process ........................................................................................................ 45
Appendix B: Key Messages ........................................................................................................................ 46
Key Messages.......................................................................................................................................... 47
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 2
Overview
and Introduction
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
The Washington State
Department of Commerce and
the Interagency Electric Vehicle
Coordinating Council (EV
Council) have developed a
Transportation Electrification
Strategy (TES), which
recommends policy and
funding strategies to advance
electric vehicle (EV) adoption
and transportation
electrification throughout the
state. The TES also includes an
implementation roadmap to
guide Washington’s transition
to EVs.
Continued engagement of a broad spectrum of audiences is critical to generate buy-in and facilitate
successful implementation of TES programs and policies. To ensure the TES equitably reflects the
needs and desires of communities across Washington, the planning process featured engagement
with the public at multiple touchpoints during policy development. This Engagement Plan (Plan)
provides evidenced-based recommendations about how and when to engage audiences through
engagement infrastructure and communities through direct to community engagement around the
recommended policies and programs, complementing the TES Implementation Plan. Successful
engagement on recommended policies will necessitate that the EV Council work with regional
entities, community organizations, and key industry partners. Successful implementation requires
many ingredients, encompassing a lead entity for each action, policies and programs integrated into
existing agencies, partnerships that move implementation forward, funding, and identification of
program or policy-specific next steps.
Engagement Goal Desired Outcome
Equitable transportation electrification
To gather community and key audience
statewide, with ongoing input on policies
perspectives and input to inform TES
and programs from key audiences and
implementation-related decision-
priority communities throughout
making.
Washington.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 4
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
How to Read This Document
This document is a roadmap to engage key audiences and Washington communities around policies
and programs that will be implemented under the umbrella of the TES. It provides guidance regarding
audiences to engage around specific policy recommendations in the TES and how to interact with
them at a variety of levels, whether the goal is to inform, seek input from, involve, or collaborate with
audiences. In this Plan, key audiences and Washington communities are separate engagement
groups to distinguish broad stakeholder engagement from direct community engagement actions.
This plan is divided into three parts:
Part One Part Two Part Three
Engagement Principles TES Engagement Strategies, A Guide to TES
and Methods Actions, and Activities Implementation Engagement
Guiding principles for Recommended ongoing engagement Guidance on audiences and
engagement, including levels of strategies, actions, associated activities, communities to engage, and a matrix
engagement and equity and messaging. of engagement levels, activities and
considerations. performance measures for priority,
near term policy recommendations.
How We Developed the Engagement Plan
This Engagement Plan incorporates Washington audiences’ and community members’ input,
priorities, and recommendations by drawing on extensive community feedback from several months
of engagement, as well as a literature review. More robust methods and results are described in
Appendix A: How we developed this Plan.
Community Highlights / What We Heard
Audiences and community members emphasized the importance of ongoing, intentional
engagement during implementation of the TES. The more frequently they are involved in
implementing a policy or program, the more confident they feel that it will be equitable and
effective. Community members and audiences expressed desire to feel heard and represented
in this process, since electrification presents both exciting opportunities for change and major
challenges. This Plan aims to ensure that community members have clear, tangible, and
frequent opportunities to influence policy refinement and implementation.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 5
Part One:
Engagement Principles
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
Engagement is a fluid process that will require adaptive strategies to evolve as audiences voice
priorities and concerns about both the TES and the process of engagement itself. This section outlines
principles to guide TES engagement as it evolves, notes the goals that underpin the levels of
engagement (Table 2: Levels of Engagement, below), and highlights equity considerations.
The guiding principles for TES engagement form the foundation for the strategies, actions, and
activities identified in Part 3 and for the Implementation Engagement Matrix in this Plan. The guiding
principles are as follows:
Table 1: Guiding Principles for TES Engagement
Learn communities and audiences’ perceptions about EVs and their
Active Learning transportation priorities before and during implementing TES engagement
strategies.
Invest in individuals, organizations, and partnerships for greater
Capacity
effectiveness, creativity, and longevity of engagement—crucial over the 12-
Building
year timeline of TES implementation.
Building Utilize a bottom-up approach where ideas and visions related to
Implementation transportation electrification and EVs are developed in partnership with
Partnerships communities and audiences and in response to needs and priorities.
Equitable
Develop new tools, models, and infrastructure to realize partnerships and
Engagement
effectively engage audiences for TES implementation.
Innovations
Work across sectors, geographies, and silos to build statewide synergies
Critical
that bridge TES programs and policies and link to transportation
Connections
electrification efforts led by other entities.
Levels of Engagement
This Engagement Plan relies on a framework called the Spectrum of Community Engagement to
Ownership, developed by Facilitating Power 1 The EV Council will need to conduct engagement at all
levels, as described in Table 2: Levels of Engagement, to consistently receive relevant feedback from
diverse audiences and authentically involve Washington communities. The Plan's strategies and
actions identified in Part Three: A Guide to TES Implementation Engagement incorporate a mix of
1
Facilitating Power: The Spectrum of Community Engagement to Ownership
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 7
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
activities across the levels of engagement to support TES implementation, as TES policies will require
varied approaches to engagement, and diverse corresponding activities.
Table 2: Levels of Engagement
Engagement 1 2 3 4
Stage: Inform Consult Involve Collaborate
Provide key Gather input from Ensure key Ensure audiences’
audiences with key audiences audience needs capacity to play a
Engagement relevant and assets are leadership role in
Stage Goals: information integrated into implementation of
process & inform decisions
planning
• TES website • Surveys • Interactive • Community
• Social media • Public comment workshops advisory
• Email listservs/ periods • EV Council committees
newsletters • Focus groups meetings • Audience
Sample • Presentations • Online panels • Ride and drive advisory
Activities: • EV Resource • Community events committees
Library meetings • Community • MOUs with
• Factsheets organizing & community-
• Open houses advocacy based
• Billboards organizations
Equity Considerations
Equity must be foundational to planning and conducting engagement activities. Specifically, actions
need to reduce barriers to engagement for audiences that have experienced long-standing
demographic, regional, and socio-economic obstacles to participating in government planning and
policymaking. Washington State must customize outreach and engagement to proactively meet
community where they are and be responsive to community needs. The implementation of the TES
will have significant impacts on public health and climate justice; transportation is the largest
contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Washington state, 2 as well as a significant contributor to
criteria air pollutants and air toxics emissions. 3 At the same time, communities most affected by air
2
Washington State Department of Ecology, Washington State Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory: 1990 – 2019,
https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/publications/summarypages/2202054.html.
3
RCW 70A.30.010; Department of ecology to adopt rules to implement California motor vehicle emission
standards.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 8
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
pollution from ports and freeways often have low capacity to transition to EVs due to myriad factors,
including the high cost of EVs and limited charging access. Additionally, engagement for the TES must
be statewide in scope, with particular focus on rural communities and regions outside of the Puget
Sound, where there is relatively less infrastructure to support EVs (charging stations) and more limited
access to that charging infrastructure.
Barriers to Equitable Engagement
Each of the following barriers can limit community participation and have historically
contributed to exclusionary policies and programs.
Actions and activities to address these barriers are noted in the strategies
section with an icon. It is critical that the EV Council recognizes these barriers from
the beginning and builds solution-oriented engagement activities.
Lack of Trust
Communities who have been historically underrepresented in planning and decision-making
often distrust institutional processes due to long-standing social, political, economic, and
environmental injustice. These communities include but are not limited to Black, Indigenous,
and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, people with disabilities, low-income households,
LGBTQIA+ individuals, seniors and youth, immigrant and refugee communities, people who live
in rural communities, and people with limited English proficiency.
Competing Demands
People have many life demands, and simultaneously there are many engagement efforts asking
for community members’ participation. The timing or frequency of engagement activities may
make it difficult for communities to engage when facing many other demands for time. Ensure
coordination of engagement efforts through communication with other state agencies.
Overwhelm
The transportation electrification transition, especially on a statewide scale, may feel
overwhelming to community groups and residents. Some overburdened communities are
concerned with the speed of TES policy development and implementation. It is important to
continually host dialogues to understand community concerns and shape measures to alleviate
those concerns while highlighting the benefits of transportation electrification.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 9
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
Technology and Accessibility
Lack of technology and limited availability of materials in-language create accessibility and
participation barriers.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 10
Part Two: TES Engagement Strategies,
Actions, and Activities
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
This plan identifies three key strategies for ongoing statewide engagement for the implementation of
TES programs and policies. These strategies are supported by actions and specific activities. The
project team developed the strategies, actions, and activities based on the formative engagement
process during TES development (see Part One) and the engagement principles and equity
considerations (see Part Two). We recommend that EV Council staff and agency staff coordinating TES
engagement work in collaboration with an advisory committee (see Action 2.1) to implementing the
following strategies, actions, and activities.
Strategy #1: Cultivate an audience network
This strategy centers around building and maintaining an equitable audience network. Implementing
this strategy involves identifying audiences whose perspectives and input will be valuable to decision-
making throughout TES implementation, noting any gaps in perspectives in engaged audiences,
identifying priority communities, and continually engaging priority communities and audiences. The
TES team will need to hire an agency staff person to manage this strategy.
Action 1.1: Identify audiences
This action identifies who, specifically, should participate in ongoing engagement activities, set the
context, build rapport, and clarify desires and expectations of all parties. Identification should build
off the preliminary audiences list (Table 1) and be iteratively refined to ensure an evolving equitable
audience network in alignment with the shifting policy landscape and congruent with the equity
chapter of the TES.
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
Develop definitions for audience types (i.e., implementation, infrastructure, policy,
☐
municipal, organization)
☐ Create an audience database to collect contact information and notes for engagement
Develop an audience map separated out by region and TES plan phase, noting which
☐
perspectives it is critical to engage at what phase
☐ Hire an agency staff person to manage the audience database
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 12
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
Revisit the audience database bi-annually to update contacts and collect information for
☐
new audiences
Action 1.2: Identify priority communities and populations
This action identifies gaps in audience perspectives and maps the audiences, communities, and
populations to be engaged through decentralized strategies and actions. This is critical to ensure that
as demographics change, priority communities continue to be identified and engaged.
We define priority communities 4 as geographic areas where vulnerable populations face combined,
multiple environmental harms and health impacts. Priority communities are inclusive of
overburdened communities, as defined in the TES. Vulnerable populations are defined as population
groups with greater sensitivity to, and risks of exposures to, environmental health harms including
ethnic minorities, low-income populations, and workers experiencing environmental harms.
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
Use the Washington Environmental Health Disparities Map to identify critical areas where
☐
priority communities reside and current context
Add priority communities and key contacts to the audience database from Action 1.1,
☐
specifically noting cultural considerations such as religious holidays
Solicit input from community partners to identify their policy priorities to find
☐
opportunities for synergies for collaboration to meet multiple priorities
Engage priority community individuals or organizations during design and planning
☐ phases to co-create engagement strategies to reach priority communities and for cross-
cutting opportunities during implementation
Revisit the priority community element of the audience database annually to ensure that
☐
new groups and demographics are captured and integrated into ongoing outreach
Key Performance Indicators for Strategy #1
• Number of audiences in network
• Number of priority communities represented
• Number of private and public sector audiences represented
4
Priority communities includes “overburdened communities” as defined in the TES.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 13
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
Outreach to Tribes
Outreach to and coordination with federally recognized tribes regarding the TES utilized different
strategies than stakeholder engagement with audiences due to the nature of government-to-
government relations. In this approach, the Departments of Commerce and Transportation
(Departments), as representatives of the EV Council, first reached out to Washington’s twenty-nine
federally recognized tribes on April 10, 2023. In this initial outreach, the Departments informed tribes
of their intent to develop the TES, under directives from the Washington State Legislature, and invited
tribes to provide input that would inform future policy recommendations. Subsequent outreach
notified tribes of a statewide survey opportunity and communicated ongoing opportunities to
coordinate or engage in government-to-government consultation regarding the development of the
TES.
While the Departments, on behalf of the EV Council, have taken steps to inform federally recognized
tribes of the TES process, additional measures helped broaden input from tribes, tribal affiliated
organizations, and tribal communities. For example, the Department of Commerce presented an
update on the TES process at the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians’ NW Tribal Clean Energy
Summit. This conference offered an additional opportunity to notify tribes and stakeholders of the
TES process and seek input. One of the main takeaways from this presentation was that there are still
questions and concerns about the impact certain tools and definitions resulting from the HEAL Act
may have on tribes. It will be important for the EV Council to work with tribes to address outstanding
questions and concerns in the implementation of the TES.
Preliminary Audiences
We have identified the following groups of key engagement audiences through 1:1 interviews and
focus groups. This should be an ever-evolving list as we continue through the engagement process.
Building relationships—especially with key implementation partners and impacted communities—will
be critical for long-term TES success. We believe the EV Council staff and agency staff coordinating
implementation of TES engagement should be the lead in developing these relationships.
Building rapport with communities and grounding relationships with a clear picture of long-term
expectations will give reassurance to audiences early in the process that the engagement is genuine,
meaningful, and not just “checking a box.”
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 14
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
Table 3: Preliminary audience categories
Audience Description Example Groups
Governmental audiences
Tribal Nations: The perspectives of Tribal
nations are critical to TES
implementation, but were not
included in formative
engagement due to the nature of
government-to-government
relations. The government-to-
government relationship
between the state of Washington
and Tribal nations as sovereign
governments means that
outreach to and consultation
with tribes must occur separately
from public engagement
processes (see RCW 70A.02.100).
Policy Partners: This group includes Washington
State legislators and legislative
staff, as well as Federal partners,
who are also developing and
implementing electrification
policies.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 15
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
Industry audiences
Private Sector: This group consists of vehicle • EV charging infrastructure
manufacturers and dealers and manufacturers and network
EV infrastructure manufacturers operators
and distributors. • EV manufacturer (OEMs)
• Franchise and independent
dealerships
• Commercial fleet owners/
managers
• Labor unions
• Property owners/managers
• Property developers
• Third-party administrators
• EVSE Contractors
Implementation This group includes entities • Clean air agencies
Partners: Public whose partnership is essential for • Local governments
Service Agencies transportation electrification, • Public school districts, colleges,
such as utilities and ports. and universities
• Transit agencies
• Ports
• Electric utilities
• Public fleets
Non-Profit This group includes organizations • Advocacy organizations and
Organizations and operating at the regional and coalitions focused on climate,
Advocates: national level that are invested in transportation, energy,
environmental sustainability and environmental justice, and equity
transportation. • Trade associations
• Regional or national climate action
collaboratives
• Non-profit service providers
• Non-profit fleets
• Multi-modal transit users
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 16
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
General audiences
Critical perspectives: This group includes community • Community leaders
leaders; representatives of • Community based organizations,
specific state regions; including those serving vulnerable
demographics with specific populations
transportation needs; • Housing authorities, tenant
overburdened communities; and associations
businesses that work in those • Low-income service providers
communities.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 17
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
Strategy #2: Establish an audience engagement framework
This strategy develops a communication framework to facilitate collaboration and audience
ownership in decision making related to program and policy development as part of TES
implementation. This framework should include establishing an ongoing advisory committee for
collaboration and feedback, as well as pathways for asynchronous one- and two-way communication
channels. Establishing ongoing capacity, compensation strategies, and key messages, and relying on
translation and transcreation into languages spoken by priority communities and audiences will
streamline implementation.
Action 2.1: Create an ongoing advisory committee
This action establishes an ongoing advisory committee representing audiences and priority
communities. The advisory committee builds off of existing infrastructure formed during TES
development, and will adapt to meet shifting engagement needs. Its aim is to serve as a reliable and
consistent pathway to engage with audiences on TES implementation, in addition to the direct to
community relationships recommended in Actions 3.1 and 3.2. Creating predictable communications
systems ensures engagement is transparent and accessible, with audiences knowing where and how
to access information for updates and how to provide feedback.
We recommend that the EV Council formalize an ongoing version of the Electric Vehicle Advisory
Committee (EVAC) 5 as a permanent community advisory committee during TES implementation. We
recommend that the EV Council and agency staff implementing the TES expand the EVAC membership
to ensure audiences from Action 1.1 are represented on the EVAC. Subcommittees or technical
committees could convene around particular issue areas, where applicable. A permanent advisory
committee will also create a “feedback loop,” where audiences can provide input, and then see how
their input was implemented via reports and updates to the committee.
5
During TES development, the EV Council created the Electric Vehicle Advisory Committee (EVAC), an
advisory council made up of audiences with professional or personal experience with EVs. Washington
State Department of Commerce, Advisory Committee and Subcommittee Contacts May 2023,
https://deptofcommerce.app.box.com/s/823h2j6tynfbsbp5fb88tftar40o959n
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 18
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
☐ Identify what committee structure makes the most sense for TES implementation.
Indicate which state agencies will staff and support the advisory committee and identify
☐
funding to support ongoing staffing
Thoughtfully determine the number of seats and representation within the committee
Recommendations:
☐ • Include seats for disparate geographic regions of Washington, priority audiences,
and vulnerable communities (based on Washington Health Disparities Map).
Consider engaging with the Environmental Justice Council on representation
within advisory committee membership.
Establish a process for identifying industry representatives, priority communities, and
☐
other key audiences
Identify key community groups and partners throughout the state to invite that
☐
represent a diversity of interests, regions, and backgrounds
Identify which industry and government audiences to invite to the group that represent
☐
a variety of interests
Once the group has been established, co-create committee by-laws and group
agreements, including decision-making structure, term limits, and subcommittee
☐
protocols. Set up a consistent meeting schedule that includes at least one annual joint
meeting with the EV Council
Identify key community groups and partners throughout the state to invite that
represent a diversity of interests, regions, and backgrounds
Recommendations:
☐
• Advisory committee members serve 2-year terms
• Subcommittees are established on an ad hoc basis, depending on stage of TES
implementation and as determined by the Advisory Committee
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 19
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
Action 2.2 State staff capacity and
community compensation
In Second Substitute Senate Bill (2SSB)
This action defines the staffing and volunteer 5793, the legislature “finds that asking
needs to implement ongoing engagement related community members with lower financial
to TES policies and programs. Trustworthy means to volunteer their time and
community engagement over the coming decade expertise while state employees and
of TES implementation will require significant representatives of advocacy organizations
time and staff resources from all participating receive compensation from their
entities. The project team recommends respective agency or organization for their
considering capacity in staffing and compensation time and experience ultimately hinders full
for TES engagement activities. Coordinating with and open public participation. As a result,
audiences, developing and maintaining the legislature finds that removing
engagement infrastructure, and supporting financial barriers for those individuals
engagement activities for TES policies and fosters increased access to government
programs requires availability, flexibility, and and enriches public policy discussions
continuous institutional knowledge. This could and decisions, ultimately leading to more
take the form of community engagement liaisons equitable and sustainable policy
for specific audiences and communities. Paid, full- outcomes.” Office of Equity, Community
time staff to serve in these roles benefit the Compensation Guidelines. Community
engagement portion of the project and its Compensation Guidelines.
outcomes. Community engagement training and
resources for staff in these roles will also benefit
the goals of this Plan.
When community members provide feedback in engagement events or forums, they are providing
expertise based on their lived experience and dedicating time beyond their normal responsibilities.
The Washington Legislature and Office of Equity recommend that community members be
compensated for their participation on boards, committees, and task forces. We recommend that, in
engagement for TES Implementation, Washington State build a compensation model that helps
implementers have a consistent compensation framework for community engagement moving
forward.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 20
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
Establish ongoing staff positions dedicated to support engagement throughout TES
☐
implementation
Provide compensation to priority communities and audiences for both ad hoc and
☐ ongoing participation and feedback. Ensure alignment with compensation guidelines
from the Office of Equity 6
Establish paid community engagement liaison positions within the priority communities
☐ to engage in community-level outreach and engagement efforts relating to TES
implementation
Action 2.3: Establish formal information and communication channels
This action encompasses communications such as email, newsletters, social media, and websites to
keep audiences and priority communities informed and up to date with TES implementation, and to
notify Washington residents of opportunities to provide input. Regular coordinated communication
actions are necessary for transparency about TES implementation and form critical building blocks for
audience and direct-to-community engagement.
We recommend that the EV Council consolidate and simplify existing EV information streams in one
central source, particularly for funding sources, grants, and incentive. The EV Council and agency staff
should develop a statewide website that collects, organizes, and presents up-to-date information
about electrification and electric vehicles in Washington. The EV Council and agency staff should also
establish communication channels managed by paid staff identified in Action 2.2 such as a newsletter,
an EV helpline, and social media accounts to enable two-way, asynchronous communication between
the EV Council and Washington residents.
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
Develop a statewide electrification website that collects electrification and EV resources,
as well as updates about TES-related policies and programs, in line with the TES’
☐ recommendation for an EV resource center. Ensure the website URL is predictable and
easy to access (for example: www.EVstate.wa.gov, www.EVresources.wa.gov, or others)
Recommendations:
6
Office of Equity, Community Compensation Guidelines. Community Compensation Guidelines.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 21
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
• Website should consolidate funding and grant information, to address the
common barrier of confusing, patchwork, and difficult-to-apply funding sources
• Translate all website materials into multiple languages to ensure language
accessibility
• Organize geographic-specific information by region and assign community
engagement liaison to each region as a key contact for questions
• Develop an engagement or implementation activities calendar that’s regularly
updated. Calendar should be located on statewide electrification website to ensure
people can easily see upcoming opportunities to be involved
• Demonstrate accountability on the website by publishing ongoing yearly progress
reports on the EV Council’s progress towards electrification, implementation
updates, challenges, and what’s next for TES
Create a newsletter that shares out upcoming engagement opportunities and updates
☐ on the progress of the TES. Create a listserv that allows people to sign up to receive
newsletters, and link to it on statewide electrification website (see above)
Establish an EV helpline or email inbox to provide one-on-one assistance for questions
☐
related to electrification
Develop statewide electrification social media accounts and post social media content
☐
that advertise upcoming engagement opportunities
Establish accessibility & transparency guidelines – Consistently ensure communities
know when and how they can participate in TES implementation
☐
• Recommendation: Provide understandable, engaging, and in-language messaging
about electrification policies and programs
Action 2.4 Develop key messaging to use with audiences
This action supports Actions 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 by developing key messages that will support
communication with priority communities and key audiences. We recommend that the EV Council
continue to refine existing messages, develop new messages as needed, and tailor key messages to
various audiences and priority communities identified in Action 1.1 and 1.2. Messaging is provided in
Appendix B.
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
☐ Continually evaluate the effectiveness of key messages with audiences
Update and expand key messages as TES implementation progresses to ensure the key
☐
messages reflect the latest updates and opportunities for feedback
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 22
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
Action 2.5 Translation, transcreation and interpretation
This action recommends creating clear, accessible, and visually appealing materials. This is critical to
centering equity in implementation of TES policies and programs, to providing all communities the
same information, and giving each community the same opportunity to provide input on the TES. The
process of transcreation ensures that EV outreach and educational materials are revised and
developed in a way that is accessible, logical, and appropriate for each priority community.
Transcreation for TES is an opportunity for collaboration with regional community members who are
participating in Activity 2.1. Additionally, translation, transcreation and interpretation are critical
components of equitable engagement.
Translation Transcreation Interpretation
Translation is the process of Transcreation is the process of Interpretation is the process of
translating a document, adapting content into another translating spoken or signed
including a website or survey, language that still captures the words into another language to
into another language, original content and uses facilitate communication over
typically word for word, that culturally relevant messaging the phone, in person, or
captures the intent of the and language. through remote video, such as
original language. in focus groups, interactive
workshops, or advisory council
meetings.
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
Translate and transcreate the key messages into the languages spoken by priority
communities and audiences and involve them in creating message campaigns for the
☐
communities they serve; Community liaisons recommended in Action 2.2 could support
message development.
Provide interpretation services at engagement events such as community workshops
☐
and advisory committee meetings
Action 2.6: Create a brand for marketing the TES
This action describes the process of developing branding and style guidelines for promoting TES
policies and programs. Because TES is sponsored by multiple agency partners with a number of
transportation-focused programs and initiatives, TES needs to have a clear and consistent brand
identity of its own. This will help audiences feel anchored as participants in a conversation with
defined goals and objectives, clear points of engagement, and reliable feedback loops.
We recommend that the EV Council and agency staff implementing the TES cocreate a brand identity
that includes a singular logo, color palate and typeface, tailored iconography, and brand messaging
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 23
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
guidance. After a brand identity has been established, we recommend the brand be shared and
strengthened with a brand toolkit, a concise set of tools and templates available to partners and co-
marketers on the program website.
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
Formalize the TES brand identity and disseminate for all partners to use. The identity
should incorporate:
• A singular logo that is supported and used by all partners when communicating about
or on behalf of the TES
☐ • A color palette and preferred typeface that complements existing partner brands
• Guidance on inclusion of partner logos (co-branding) alongside the TES logo
• Sample iconography for specific TES components that will be featured in messaging
throughout implementation
• Messaging guidance that clarifies preferred terminology, taglines, and descriptive text
that should be used when referring to TES or its activities
Develop a brand toolkit for all statewide electrification partners to use. The brand toolkit
should include:
• Style guide that compiles guidelines for TES visuals and messaging
• Logo files in JPEG, PNG, and EPS formats
☐ • Font files (if not universally available system fonts)
• Photos, icons, and other graphics licensed by TES and available for partners to use
• Templates that combine brand elements in ready-to-use layouts for Word, InDesign,
PowerPoint, and any other platforms that TES partners will use, such as posters and
flyers, postcards, doorhangers, mailers, social media posts, and advertisements
Key Performance Indicators for Strategy #2
• Number of members in advisory committee – number of representatives of priority
communities; number of representatives of community partners, organizations, and
businesses; number of representatives of implementation partners; number of
representatives of national organizations; of the private sector; of policy partners; of tribes
• Number of visitors on statewide electrification website
• Number of people receiving the newsletter
• Number of social media posts
• Number of outreach materials transcreated or translated
• Number of languages outreach materials are transcreated/translated
• Completed logo and style guide that is supported by TES partners
• Style guide laying out best practices for communicating on behalf of TES
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 24
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
• Completed brand toolkit that is available in a central location for TES and partners to use on
an ongoing basis
Strategy #3: Engage key audiences and Washington communities
Strategy #3 implements engagement strategies, actions, and activities related to TES policy and
program development with the key audiences and communities identified in Strategy #1 and rely on
the communication infrastructure built through Strategy #2
Engagement approaches vary depending on the intended engagement goal and audience (see Table
2: Levels of Engagement.) For the TES, this will depend on the TES programs and policies for which the
EV Council is seeking input. This Plan includes a Policy Engagement Matrix at the end (page X) to
illustrate policy specific engagement recommendations. Across TES implementation, we recommend
that the EV Council pursue engagement through direct engagement with community, engaging with
key audiences, and by relying on equity-centered activities.
Action 3.1: Directly engage with communities
This action engages directly with Washington residents on policy and program development through
research methods and community organizing activities. When possible, the EV Council should
implement direct-to-community engagement on TES programs and policies to deepen relationships
and trust between implementing entities and communities, facilitate equity-centered decision-
making, and achieve the desired outcomes. Informing communities about TES programs and
policies—and involving and collaborating with them in planning and implementation—is more likely
to achieve buy-in and desired outcomes.
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
Partner with community-based organizations (CBOs) and trusted local community
☐
leaders and liaisons to reach priority communities
Follow community liaisons’ lead when planning activities to foster a sense of belonging
☐
for participants and provide support and resources to overcome barriers to participation
Create Education & Awareness materials to explain how electrification relates to and
☐ supports the interests and values of community members and explain why Washington
is prioritizing electrification
Create and launch annual statistically valid surveys to gather community feedback
☐
related to various elements of TES implementation
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 25
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
Organize online panels and community workshops to share out information and garner
☐
feedback about TES implementation
Host in-person focus groups with priority communities and audiences as needed
☐
throughout TES implementation to address barriers
Lean on best practices for community organizing tactics, whenever necessary to engage
priority communities and audiences. Tactics include:
• SMS
☐ • Digital organizing
• Canvassing
• Attending existing community events (farmers’ markets, fairs, celebrations, etc.) or
tabling at community centers (places of worship, libraries, parks, etc.)
Action 3.2: Engage with key audiences
This action leverages the relationships built during formative engagement on the TES, existing
forums, and engagement infrastructure to regularly involve and collaborate with audiences affected
by transportation electrification and TES policies and programs. Such audiences include but are not
limited to industries, regulatory bodies, policy makers, and state and local agencies. Audiences were
clear during formative engagement that being brought into the process early, and having regular
opportunities to provide feedback and collaborate on program execution is critical to ensuring TES
implementation is coordinated, informed by existing efforts, and feasible for industry partners.
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
Provide regular updates on TES implementation progress and changes in policy,
regulation, or funding through industry associations or other trusted conveners; Utilize
☐ existing networks or events to meet audiences and communities where they are – for
example, attending regular meetings, or drafting content to be shared through industry
communication channels
Create audience-specific newsletters (for example, multifamily housing) that are
☐
published biannually and distributed to that specific audience
Convene a roundtable of Washington cities, as key implementation partners for TES-
related policies and programs. Depending on the capacity of attendees, the roundtable
☐
could convene at key points during TES implementation to vet and inform
policy/regulation design
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 26
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
Involve priority communities and audiences in the EV Advisory Committee through
☐
subcommittees or technical committees as applicable (see Action 2.1)
Action 3.3 Engage with Tribes
Our intention was to conduct outreach to tribes during the early stages of the TES. However, further
consultation will be necessary to implement policy recommendations that constitute a significant
agency action as defined in RCW 70A.02.010. As a next step, the EV Council should identify which
policy recommendations are significant agency actions that affect federally recognized tribes' rights
and interests in their tribal lands and offer further consultation regarding the potential
implementation of these policies, consistent with RCW 70A.02.100
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
☐ All EV Strategy staff completes Government-to-Government training
Present the final TES at an event hosted by tribes or a tribal affiliated organization to
☐
share the final policy recommendations and the implementation process
Co-develop an interagency standing consultation process for all state transportation
☐
electrification programs and policies
Action 3.4 Equity-centered Activities
This action captures essential equity centered activities that TES engagement should consider.
Engagement will not look the same for all communities and regions, and we recommend that the EV
Council consider for each region and community: what information flow looks like; what is
contributing to and hindering information flow; how can the community get equitable access to
information about the issues that impact them; when and how impacted communities should be
consulted; how impacted communities can have a voice in TES decision-making; and how policy and
implementation partners can buy into TES implementation. Additionally, the specific activities offered
here are grouped by theme to better align with any anticipated barriers to engagement.
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
Build relationships with CBOs and trusted community liaisons to help engage priority
communities and underserved populations to foster equity and inclusion; Follow these
☐ liaisons’ lead when it comes to planning activities to foster a sense of belonging for
participants; Understand the barriers these communities face to participation and
implement support and resources that help overcome these barriers
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 27
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
Provide understandable, engaging, and in-language messaging about electrification
☐ policies and programs, to consistently ensure the community knows when and how they
can participate in TES implementation and facilitate accessibility and transparency
Provide understandable, culturally sensitive messaging to educate communities and
raise awareness of how electrification relates to and supports the interests and values of
☐ community members, explain why Washington is prioritizing electrification, and convey
how electrification connects to other community priorities such as transportation
emissions and pollution
Promote physical accessibility and reduce barriers to participation by meeting
community members in spaces they already convene— such as community events—and
☐
plan engagement events with feedback from community liaisons to ensure that
meetings are at times and places that feel accessible to specific communities
Provide a range of engagement options to suit different lifestyles, availability, and ways
☐
of processing information to be adaptable
Provide incentives for all engagement where community is providing feedback and help
☐ alleviate associated costs (e.g., taking time from work, finding childcare, food, and
arranging for transportation) borne by community members
Build and strengthen new and existing relationships with communities and audiences
☐ that can continue beyond TES implementation and can bolster ongoing or future
programs or projects to promote sustainability
Action 3.4 Tribal engagement
As noted earlier in the Engagement Plan, the perspectives of Tribal nations are critical to TES
implementation. The government-to-government relationship between the state of Washington and
Tribal nations as sovereign governments means that outreach to and consultation with tribes must
occur separately from public engagement processes (see RCW 70A.02.100).
We recommend that EV Council staff and agency staff implementing the TES identify the tribes
impacted by or benefiting from TES implementation, and host a series of Tribal community forums as
opportunities for engagement.
This action offers recommendations for engagement of Tribal community members, and should not
be misconstrued as Tribal consultation between Washington state leadership and Tribal leadership.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 28
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
Key Performance Indicators for Strategy #4
• Number of CBO partners
• Number of communities in which surveys were distributed
• Number of surveys administered to communities
• Number of focus groups conducted
• Number of community organizing tactics used
− Number of community events attended
− Number of SMS’s sent
− Number of houses canvassed
− Number of updates sent
• Number of audience specific newsletters that are published and distributed
• Number of roundtables convened
• Number of priority communities and audiences on EVAC subcommittees or technical
committees
Strategy #4: Funding
Implementation of ongoing engagement for TES policies and programs will require dedicated
funding, either through a distinct operating budget proviso that becomes ongoing funding for each
fiscal year, or a determined percentage of every program with clarity for legislators that engagement
is included.
Action 4.1: Provide sustainable funding for staff to implement the TES Engagement Plan
For implementation of the TES Engagement to be successful, the EV Council needs to hire staff
specifically to manage the strategies in the Plan. The project team estimates staffing needs as follows:
• One staff can manage Strategy #1 and support Strategy #2
• Two staff are necessary to manage the Audience Engagement Framework in Strategy #2, one
staff member needs to lead each subcommittee, but that can include the 3 staff already
mentioned
• Four staff will need to manage Strategy #3—one person to manage engagement with
government partners, one person to manage engagement with industry partners, and one
person to do direct-to-community engagement with general audiences (please see Strategy
#1 for the audience definitions).
• Two staff are necessary to lead and support monitoring and evaluation.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 29
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
☐ Request funding for staff to manage and support the Engagement Plan strategies
Action 4.2 Provide sustainable funding for TES engagement framework
This action dedicates funding for staff to manage audience network and the advisory council, in
whatever capacity it manifests as the TES segues from the development to implementation phases.
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
Request that the governor and Legislature create a sustainable, durable funding source
☐
to make the TES engagement framework sustainable for the duration of implementation
Include funding to state agencies for stipends for members who are not State Agency
☐ staff and ongoing management needed to initiate and implement task force
recommendations outlined in Strategy #2
Action 4.3: Provide sustainable funding for TES engagement actions and activities
This action dedicates funding for implementing engagement activities outlined in the earlier
strategies and actions of this plan, and also those more clearly defined in the Roadmap to TES
implementation matrix on page 30.
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
Request that the governor and Legislature establish resources in the budget for TES
☐
engagement activities
Include funding to state agencies for actions and activities described in actions
☐
associated with Strategy #3
Key Performance Indicators for Strategy #4
• Number of staff hired to manage and support ongoing TES Engagement
• Funding for Advisory Committee members who are not State agency staff
• Funding for Strategy #3 activities
• Resources in the state budget for TES Engagement activities
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 30
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
Strategy #5: Monitoring and evaluation
Tracking and reporting progress on engagement for TES implementation is critical to identify best
practices, understand the effectiveness of engagement activities, who is being reached, and gaps in
audience input. This Plan is a living document that will evolve between now and the next planned
engagement update. The TES project team will monitor engagement activities across strategies and
actions and prepare annual TES Engagement progress reports. If these reports indicate the TES is not
on track to meet the KPIs for each strategy, the TES project team may choose to strengthen or add
actions as necessary.
Action 5.1: Equity-centered monitoring and evaluation
This action involves utilizing engagement tracking tools to develop progress reports after key
milestones to understand who has already been reached and where additional engagement efforts
are needed. We recommend establishing an engagement tracking mechanism in alignment with the
audiences and priority communities’ database outlined in Action 1.1 and 1.2 to track when and how
engagement with various audiences has occurred. Additionally, we recommend developing an
accountability framework to share TES implementation and engagement results through the website
and communication systems established in Strategy #2.
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
Share annual and as needed progress updates through the website and communication
☐
systems developed in Action 2.3
Provide updates and annual implementation progress reports to the community
☐
advisory committee(s) established in Action 2.1
Connect community priorities to goals and measurable metrics so the broad and more
☐
overwhelming aspects of electrification feel tangible
Key Performance Indicators for Strategy #5
• Number of annual engagement reports: We recommend that these reports contain
a regular assessment of progress towards achieving performance metrics
• Summarize high-level themes heard from each region
• Share number of engagement activities conducted
• Report out number of audiences engaged and how engagement informed agency decisions,
program design, or policies
• Identify lessons learned for the next year
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 31
Part Three: A Guide to TES Implementation
Engagement
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
TES is a strategic and coordinated plan that relies on all of Washington for success. The TES project
team must work with regional entities, community organizations, and key industry partners to
achieve implementation. Many ingredients are necessary for successful implementation, including
assigning a lead entity for each action, integrating policies and programs into existing agencies,
facilitating partnerships to move implementation forward, securing funding, and then beginning
program or policy-specific next steps. This document serves as a complement to other TES
documents that identify lead agencies and programs for specific policies and programs in the TES,
recommends integration into existing State infrastructure, and funding streams, and next steps for
implementing those programs and policies. The Engagement Plan outlines the ingredients for
facilitating partnerships and engaging audiences that will support the advancement of TES programs
and policies. The figure below shows the step in TES implementation that this section describes.
Figure 1: Implementation Steps-this plan's role
Assign a Integrate actions Facilitate Secure funding Begin
leader for into existing partnerships with toward implementation –
each action agencies key audiences implementation specific next steps
Performance Metrics
To complement this Plan’s key performance indicators (KPIs) for each action, the Policy
Recommendations Engagement Matrix includes performance metrics specific to each policy
recommendation. These indicators will help the EV Council and its contractors gauge their progress
on engagement strategies and actions and assess the success of specific activities.
Timeline
The TES is divided into near-term and long-term policy recommendations; therefore, engagement
activities are divided into a parallel timeline, with near-term policies chosen by the EV Council
represented in the Policy Engagement Matrix on the next page.
Timeline Years Goal
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 33
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
Near-term 2024 - 2028 Actions set the foundation and build infrastructure for sustainable
TES implementation engagement (consistent funding source,
staffing, committees/workgroups/owned communication
channels, etc.)
Long-term 2029 - 2035 Actions require substantial infrastructure and resources or build
upon foundational short-term actions
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 34
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
Engagement on Policy Recommendations: A Guide
How to Use This Matrix
This Policy Engagement Matrix serves as a guide for conducing engagement on near-term policy recommendations and is meant to complement
a distinct TES implementation plan, which will provide a robust description for the implementation of policy recommendations. It is a roadmap
guiding which audiences to engage on which policies, how to engage them, and how to measure that engagement. This matrix is meant to be
flexible and is based on the information in the policy recommendations at the time the Engagement Plan’s writing. It will need updating to meet
shifting needs and priorities and an evolving transportation electrification landscape.
Policy Recommendations Engagement Matrix
ADVANCED CLEAN FLEETS (ACF)
Engagement Levels /
Audiences Channels Engagement Activities Performance Metrics
• For all policies • Inform private sector • Inform all audiences via a website where it • Website
o Government audiences, including is easy to find information about rules and • Number of visits
partners dealers, industry using engagement activities • Number of people on Gov Delivery list
o OEMs medium- and heavy- duty • Inform using a Gov Delivery list that • Number of email notices sent
o Dealers vehicles (MHDVs), and audiences can subscribe to • Percentage of fact sheets transcreated
o Private utilities of proposed • Inform via fact sheets disseminated in or translated
Sector policies and timelines multiple languages o Number of languages
o Priority • Consult with government • Consult with audiences on ACF rules via a o Number of fact sheets
Communities partners, including the series of interactive public meetings disseminated/ downloaded
EPA, California Air related to each standard • Number of public meetings hosted
Resources Board (CARB,) • Consult via public comment on rules as • Number of people attended (total and
and implementing they are developed and publicized each meeting)
• Number of public comments received
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 35
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
Engagement Levels /
Audiences Channels Engagement Activities Performance Metrics
agencies about lessons • Involve OEMs on establishing years that • Number of OEMs involved in
learned from CA’s rule adoption will be required to ensure establishing production timeline
• Consult with priority sufficient inventory • Number of OEMs agreeing to electric
communities on priority • Involve private sector partners and MHDV production scale timeline
implementation areas medium and heavy-duty vehicle (MHDV) • Number of private sector entities
• Involve and collaborate consumers to get buy-in on point-of sale participating in development of point-
with OEMs, private sector, voucher program. of-sale voucher program
government partners such • Involve overburdened communities in • Number of overburdened
as utilities on where to run establishing extra incentives for communities involved in establishing
pilots, lessons learned, electrification of MHDVs operating in those rules for extra incentives for
and how to scale communities companies operating in their
seamlessly • Collaborate with private sector audiences, neighborhoods
government partners (such as transit • Number of private sector audiences
agencies, ports, and school districts) to and government partners
establish operational priorities for electric collaborating on development of
MHDVs operational priorities for Electric
• Collaborate with government partners to MHDVs
explore bulk purchasing of electric MHDVs • Number of government partners
collaborating to explore bulk
purchasing
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 36
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
SUITE OF CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE POLICIES (DEMAND-USE RATES)
Engagement Levels /
Audiences Channels Engagement Activities Performance Metrics
• For all policies: • Inform and consult utility • UTC and Commerce conduct a rate • Number of survey
o Consumer-owned utilities consumers structures survey (for utilities) and responses on rate
(COUs) • Inform and consult directly engage utilities on structures survey for
o Investor-owned utilities (IOUs) property owners, alternative rate structures via utilities
o Utilities and Transportation managers, and developers workshops and newsletters • Number of attendees in
Commission (UTC) via industry associations • Host interactive workshops for workshops on grid
o Legislators • Inform, involve, and utility consumers to help identify investments
o City and county governments collaborate with utilities areas for increased grid investment • Number of
o State agencies (COUs and IOUs) and the • Convene a COU workgroup to recommendations from
o Utility consumers UTC discuss opportunities for COU workgroup
o EVSPs • Collaborate with implementing EVSE projects implemented
o WSDOT community-based • Include Community Benefits • % of EVSE contracts that
• For residential charging: organizations and Agreement information in the adopted community-
o Property owners, managers, community groups on statewide electrification website centered siting guidance
and developers siting and community • With agencies with charging • Number of attendees for
o Affordable housing developers benefit agreements funding programs, conduct an model site design
• For community benefits • Collaborate with state EVSE siting focus group with CBOs workgroup
agreements and community- agencies, city and county to develop best practices and • Number of ports with
informed EVSE siting: governments, and ports guidance for future collaboration electrified truck parking
o Community-based • Inform local or regional • Convene a short-term work group • Website engagement
organizations (CBOs) and contractors of EVSE industry experts, with Community Benefits
groups • Involve industry and accessibility experts, and local Agreements and
• For community informed EVSE accessibility experts and planners to develop statewide Maintenance Agreements
siting: local planners in model model site designs (for local/regional
o State agency HEAL staff site designs • Consult jurisdictions on barriers to contractors)
siting EVSE at light poles
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 37
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
Engagement Levels /
Audiences Channels Engagement Activities Performance Metrics
• For ongoing Maintenance • Collaborate with • Inform contractors of Maintenance • Number of attendees for
Agreements: accessibility experts and Agreements for publicly funded workgroup on
o Local or regional contractors disability rights advocacy projects via statewide accessibility standards
• For truck parking: organizations electrification website,
o Ports newsletters, and communication
• For model site designs: with unions
o EVSE industry experts • Collaborate with jurisdictions and
o Accessibility experts ports to develop electrified truck
o Local planners parking at ports
• For accessibility standards: • Convene a short-term work group
o Accessibility experts or advisory committee of
o Disability rights advocacy accessibility experts to co-develop
organizations (e.g., Disability statewide accessibility standards
Rights WA) for public EV charging
o CBOs (e.g., BIPOC Mobility
Action Coalition)
SUITE OF LIGHT DUTY VEHICLE COSTS- (BUILDING OFF OF WORK BEGUN IN FALL 2023)
Engagement Levels /
Audiences Channels Engagement Activities Performance Metrics
• For all policies: • Inform the public and • Raise awareness, educate, and equip • Number of visits to
o EV consumers (general EV consumers to raise Washington residents to utilize EV incentives statewide
public) awareness of incentives through the statewide electrification website
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 38
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
Engagement Levels /
Audiences Channels Engagement Activities Performance Metrics
o Low- and moderate-income • Inform and collaborate and associated online resources, regular electrification
residents with state agencies, city newsletters, ad campaigns in traditional website
o Legislators and county media and social media, billboards, and • Number of low-
o Governor governments open houses income service
o City and county • Inform legislators and • Translate or transcreate educational providers receiving
governments the Governor, materials about EV incentives, including ad information on EV
o State agencies particularly during campaigns and website resources rebates
• For EV rebate program: gubernatorial transition • Share information on EV rebate program • Number of
o Low-income service • Collaborate with low- with low-income service providers through information
providers (organizations income service existing coalitions such as the Washington booths/tables at
that provide assistive providers to ensure State Community Action Partnership community centers
services to low- or providers can access EV • Share information on EV rebate program • Number of people
moderate-income rebates with low- and moderate-income Washington engaged through
households in WA) • Consult automakers residents through communication channels information
• For used EV workgroup: and dealerships of existing state-qualified low-income booths/tables at
o Automakers • Involve CARB and other programs (for example: LIHEAP or SNAP) community centers
o Dealerships ACC II states to update • Host information booths about EV rebates • Number of people
• For Advanced Clean Cars II: ACC II and charging incentives at community signed up for
o CARB • Involve CARB and centers such as libraries, farmers markets, listserv
o Other ACC II states Section 177 states to festivals, fairs, etc. • Number of ride and
• For equitable and lower cost plan regional • Host ride and drive events and share written drive events hosted
access to ZEVs: approaches to support information about incentives and rebates • Number of
o CARB equitable access to ZEVs (fact sheets, flyers, FAQs) attendees for used
o Section 177 states • Consult TNCs, taxis, and • Facilitate a used EV workgroup or focus electric vehicle
• For Clean Miles Standards: rideshare drivers about group with automakers and dealerships workgroup
o Commute Trip Reduction reducing emissions from • Number of
Board attendees for taxi
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 39
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
Engagement Levels /
Audiences Channels Engagement Activities Performance Metrics
o TNC companies rideshare and cab • Organize an interstate workgroup with CARB and rideshare focus
o Taxi and cab companies companies and other ACC II states to update Advanced group
o Rideshare drivers • Involve the Commute Clean Cars II • Number of
Trip Reduction Board • Organize an interstate workgroup with CARB materials
and state agencies on and other Section 177 states to discuss translated or
Clean Miles Standards regional approaches to support equitable transcreated in
and lower cost access to ZEVs other languages
• Host one or more focus groups with taxi and
rideshare drivers, and TNCs to develop a
recommended policy for reducing rideshare
and cab emissions; send final
recommendations out for attendee
comment
• Collaborate with WSDOT, Ecology, and the
Commute Trip Reduction Board to
strengthen RCW 70A.15.4060 and create a
Clean Miles Standard
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 40
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
WORKFORCE- MANUFACTURING, MECHANICS/TECHNICIANS
Engagement Levels /
Audiences Channels Engagement Activities • Performance Metrics
• For early career development, • Inform audiences and • Invest in targeted workforce • Number of completed
workforce training, and building strong the public about the trainings and apprenticeship apprenticeships
labor standards: workforce development programs to provide education • Number of participants
o Private sector: EV manufacturers opportunities and on zero-emission vehicles as from existing workforce
(OEMs) and EV charging trainings well as on charging and who receive or complete
infrastructure manufacturers and • Involve audiences and alternative fuel stations. training
network operators partners in certification • Provide trainings for existing • Number of trainings
o Critical perspectives to include to development to workforce for zero-emission provided and total
expand workforce: Commercial streamline processes and vehicle topics when needed. number of participants
fleet owners and managers, reduce barriers to access • Provide certification program • Amount of funding
Community leaders, and while maintaining for electrical components of the appropriated for grant
Community based organizations, program rigor EV charger installs to ensure program and number of
labor unions • Collaborate with key safety and effectiveness grants administered
audiences to ensure • Provide technician training for
• For supporting existing workforce and robust and coordinated fleets
certifications: apprenticeship program • Provide training and
o Private sector: EV manufacturers development certification for EV technicians
(OEMs) and EV charging • Collaborate with key and mechanics
infrastructure manufacturers and audiences to develop and • Create a grant program to
network operators implement workforce support local training for first
o Critical perspectives to include to training modules to responders in addressing EV
support the existing workforce: ensure training battery fires
Commercial fleet owners and effectiveness • Host workshops with audiences
managers, Community leaders, and • Collaborate with key and partners to enhance
Community based organizations, audiences and partners understanding of labor
labor unions to develop policies that
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 41
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
support Washington’s standards within the
• For first responder training: clean industrial economy electrification workforce
o Implementation partners, including (manufacturing and
public services agencies and fire recycling)
departments
• For growing Washington’s clean
industrial economy:
o Policy partners
o Private sector: EV manufacturer
(OEMs), EV charging infrastructure,
and property owners, managers,
and developers
o Implementation partners,
including public services agencies
TIRE EFFICIENCY STANDARDS 7
Audiences Engagement Levels / Channels Engagement Activities Performance Metrics
• For all policies • Inform audiences and the public • Inform private sector and • Number of website
o Policy Partners, including the of the intention to develop new community audiences of the hits
National Highway Traffic tire efficiency standards, of proposed tire efficiency standards • Number of online
Safety Administration, timelines, opportunities to and channels to provide input via resources developed
California Energy Commission provide input, and how to receive the Ecology website and online and disseminated
(which has developed a Tire information resources, such as newsletters,
7
This is outside the scope of the EV Council but is a big driver of emissions reduction and environmental health benefits, and needs its own,
specific, engagement.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 42
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Overview Part One Part Two Part Three
and Introduction Engagement Principles Strategies, Actions, Activities Implementation Engagement
Audiences Engagement Levels / Channels Engagement Activities Performance Metrics
Efficiency Program); WA State Consult private sector audiences billboards, and targeted social • Number of social
Legislature including vehicle and tire media advertising media ad views
o Implementation Partners, manufacturers on timeline, • Inform tribal audiences of • Number of tribal
including Washington feasibility, and cost variables upcoming standard development nations providing
Department of Motor • Consult Tribal Nations and and establish specific channels for input on tire
Vehicles, WSDOT, DOH advocacy organizations, and tribes to weigh in via formal tribal standards
o Tribal Nations, especially critical community audiences on liaisons • Number of meetings
those that rely on salmon as a standards, timelines, and • Organize a series of interstate held; number of best
cultural food and symbol. projected impacts (air quality meetings with the EPA, National practices identified
o Private sector, including tire improvements, impacts on water Highway Traffic Safety • Number of private
manufacturers and dealers quality and salmon, etc.) Administration, CA Energy sector comments
o Non-profits, including • Involve the tire industry in Commission and other agencies in received
environmental and health developing standards that are CA and WA that are developing tire • Number of
advocacy organizations feasible to meet and OEMs to efficiency standards for sharing of commitments to
o Critical community make sure the vehicles they best practices adherence obtained
organizations, especially manufacture are compatible, on a • Hold a series of virtual public • Number community
communities overburdened coordinated timeline workshops for OEMs, tire meeting attendees
by air pollution. • Collaborate with key audiences manufacturers, transportation • Number of
to formalize standards that tire industries and provide public community
companies, OEMs, and industries comment opportunities for tire comments received
will voluntarily adhere to efficiency rules
• Host workshops for the community
to weigh in on specific standards
and timelines
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 43
Appendix A:
How We Developed This Plan
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Appendix A
How We Developed This Plan
Literature Review
Cascadia conducted a literature review of other long-term engagement plans to ground the Plan’s
strategies in engagement best practices. Cascadia reviewed five long-term (10 or more years)
engagement plans, two of which addressed transportation. The engagement plans encompassed a
variety of geographic scales, ranging from city to national plans. Through the literature review,
Cascadia synthesized common engagement goals, strategies and actions, mechanisms to track
progress and effectiveness, and methods for reaching vulnerable populations across plans. The
synthesized best practices serve as the foundation for the strategies, actions, and tactics in this
Engagement Plan.
Formative Engagement Process
Between March and September 2023, the project team (Cascadia, Northwest Energy Coalition, and
Front and Centered) conducted a community engagement process to ensure that the TES reflected the
experiences, needs, and preferences of Washington residents and businesses, with particular attention
to vulnerable populations and overburdened communities. Engagement opportunities included focus
groups, interviews, and a statewide survey.
Beyond shaping the TES directly, the community feedback from the TES development engagement
process informed this Engagement Plan by identifying priority audiences for future engagement,
common knowledge gaps and electrification myths among Washington residents, and community-
recommended engagement methods. The engagement process took place over two phases:
• Phase 1 (April 2023): Phase 1 focused on developing a baseline understanding of community
attitudes towards electrification and utilized three engagement methods targeted to unique
audiences, including five focus groups with a total of 29 participants, 27 one-on-one
interviews, representing 54 organizations and groups. Phase 1 also included a statewide
survey that received 3026 representative responses.
• Phase 2 (June-August 2023): Phase 2 targeted audiences not yet engaged and dove deeper
into topics and audiences through three focus groups with 19 participants and 14 one-on-one
interviews.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 45
Appendix B:
Key Messages
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Appendix B
Key Messages
What is the TES and why is Washington State developing and implementing it?
Transportation is the state’s number one source of greenhouse gas emissions and a major
source of local air pollution that disproportionately impacts the health of people living near
roadways, port facilities, industrial activities, and railways – places where vulnerable
populations often reside. Vulnerable populations are particularly sensitive to transportation-
related pollution due to health, economic, and environmental factors. In 2022, the Washington
Legislature tasked the Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council (EVCC) with developing
a statewide transportation electrification strategy to ensure market and infrastructure
readiness for all new vehicle sales (RCW 43.392.040).
How was the TES developed/where did the TES policies come from?
The TES builds on current policies and programs supporting transportation electrification in
Washington, and takes into account the state’s emissions reduction targets. It involved
modeling analysis to show how different electrification scenarios result in different outcomes,
best practices from other states and regions, and input from key audiences, including regional
and federal policy makers, implementation partners, EV manufacturers, and community
representatives.
How will the TES impact me?
The transition to electric transportation will be a significant change for Washington’s
transportation system, communities, and industries. It is also an opportunity for Washington to
create a more just environment—including cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
While transportation electrification is feasible and has the potential for cost savings (due to
cheap, clean, and reliable electricity), it is critical to engage community members, private and
public sector audiences, and implementation partners to ensure that TES implementation is
equitable, intentional, and informed by the expertise of Washingtonians. The EV Council is
committed to notifying and involving Washington communities in electrification-related
programs, policies, and opportunities, and regularly receiving input on these programs, to
make them more effective for community members and audiences.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 47
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy Engagement Plan
Appendix B
Why should I provide input on transportation electrification?
Your involvement can help ensure the needs of your community and sector are met in the
transition to electric vehicles, lower emissions, and cleaner air.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 15, 2023 | 48
Washington State
Transportation Electrification Strategy
EV Education Plan
Prepared by
Cascadia Consulting Group
for the Washington State Department of
Commerce and the Transportation
Electrification Strategy (TES) Workgroup
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Plan Navigation
Plan Navigation
INFORMATION
Overview and Introduction Target Audiences Barriers and Concerns
Purpose, methods, and priority Audience characteristics and Critical barriers and concerns
audiences for this Plan. behaviors related to EV that this Plan aims to address.
purchasing.
3 6 8
TOOLS
Messages Trusted Information Equity Considerations Monitoring and
Key messages to move Channels Equity considerations Evaluation
priority audiences Information channels to ensure messaging is Metrics and
toward action. that are used and accessible and effective benchmarks for
trusted by priority across communities. monitoring and
audiences. measuring success.
10 16 18 29
Strategies and Tactics
Strategy 1 Strategy 2 Strategy 3 Strategy 4
Build awareness of the Facilitate consideration Promote evaluation of Describe broad funding
benefits of EVs of EVs by potential EVs vs gas-powered needs to staff Education
buyers vehicles Plan implementation
24 25 26 28
Appendices
Appendix A
Survey Report
34
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 2
Overview and Introduction
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Overview and Introduction
Overview and Introduction
Purpose
For Washington to meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals, there needs to be a significant market
shift towards individuals purchasing and driving personal, light-duty EVs. New products in a market
often follow a natural adoption curve, which can be slow (decades) and sometimes fail to become
widely adopted at all. The EV Education Plan’s goal is to accelerate the adoption of personal EVs in
Washington (for figure and description, see Market segments—EV adoption segments in Appendix A).
To that end, the Plan aims to serve as an evidence-based guide for a short-term (1-2 year) marketing
campaign to provide Washingtonians with the information they need to buy or lease EVs, which can
then be updated based on evaluation results. This campaign will involve raising awareness of EVs,
providing information for consideration, and pointing consumers to places where they can determine
which EV is best for them and their lifestyle.
Methods
This Plan draws from a literature review of existing EV Education Plans, a statewide EV market
research survey administered in the spring of 2023, and one-on-one interviews and focus groups
conducted as part of the TES project’s formative engagement. Together, these methods informed the
framework for EV adoption, audience segmentation, outreach and education strategies and tactics,
and metrics as outlined in this Plan. For the complete survey report, please see Appendix A.
Market Segments
The Plan identifies audiences by light-duty EV market segment—consumer cohorts based on attitude,
knowledge, and adoption of personal EVs. The Plan includes key findings, both across the market as a
whole and within each market segment, that inform the strategies and messages to build awareness
of EVs. Analysis revealed that barriers, perceptions, and messages were uniform across the market, so
the Plan’s market segments are based on desired behavior. The market segments are described in
more detail in the “Target Audiences” section.
Additionally, this plan will target high-consumption fuel users (HCFUs), for rapid EV adoption to
maximize the GHG reduction impacts of EV adoption. Research shows that HCFUs are a diverse
market: their reasons for driving high mileage are varied, and their perceptions of EVs and motivators
to adopt do not meaningfully differ from those of consumers with similar readiness levels.1 However,
HCFU information should be leveraged to prioritize tactics.
1
Washington State Joint Transportation Committee, 2023. Encouraging High Consumption Fuel Users
to use Electric Vehicles.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 4
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Overview and Introduction
Strategies and Messages
The Education Plan includes strategies and actions to build nuanced awareness of EVs’ benefits, equip
Washingtonians with the information they need to consider switching to an EV, and present
recommendations to move them along the behavior change spectrum to make the decision to
purchase an EV and follow through with that choice. The strategies and actions provide educational
guidance and messaging to shape consumers’ perceptions of EVs and recommend communication
channels through which to disseminate information to accelerate the widespread adoption of EVs
across vehicle classes and users. These education strategies and actions include recommendations
for equitable marketing, such as tailored regional messaging to reduce perceived barriers to EVs.
How to Use This Plan
This document is a guide to desired actions of specific market segments, consumers’ barriers to
desired actions, messaging to reduce barriers and motivate actions, and strategies and tactics to shift
the whole market’s perceptions of EVs and catalyze action for consumers that are ready. The graphic
below shows the organization of this plan.
Figure 1. Education roadmap
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 5
Target Audiences
Washington Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Target Audiences
Target Audiences by Desired Behaviors
This section introduces target audiences and their desired behavior as a result of successful EV
adoption messaging. See Appendix A for complete audience profiles, which provide demographic
information and a detailed analysis of survey responses by market segment.
Primary Targets Secondary Targets Tertiary Targets
Ready to adopt and Current EV Second Wave
Open to adopt Drivers and On Hold
The Ready to Adopt and Open Current EV drivers are the The people in this segment are
to Adopt market segments are secondary target of this either not ready to switch to an
the primary target audience for Education Plan. The rationale EV (neutral to unlikely) or not
EV education and messaging. behind this is that this segment planning to change vehicles in
This segment includes those can help grow the used EV the next 5 years, so they are not
who plan to buy a car in the market, making EVs more explicitly targeted.
next 5 years and are ready or accessible, quantity and cost-
open to purchasing an EV. wise, to a broader market.
Current EV users are the
primary ambassadors for EVs,
referring friends and serving as
trusted information sources
Desired Action Desired Action Desired Action
Purchase a new vehicle as soon Sell their current EV and No immediate action is
as possible, with the purchase/lease a new EV. In the expected, but the next time
assumption that, with access survey conducted in spring they decide to change vehicles,
to high-quality public 2023, most current EV drivers they move into the ready to
information, it will be an EV. have said they would buy adopt or open to adopt
another EV. segments.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 7
Barriers and Concerns
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Barriers and Concerns
Barriers and Concerns
Barriers and concerns are challenges to consumers taking their desired behavior. Barriers and
concerns were identified by distinct survey questions—one asking about reasons may not purchase an
EV and another asking how respondents felt about different messages. In this case, both barriers and
concerns are factors that hinder individuals purchasing EVs (or selling one EV and purchasing another)
on the timeline necessary for Washington to meet its climate mitigation targets. Identifying these
factors is the first step in developing a messaging campaign that can encourage behavior change by
addressing them.
Barriers
According to the market research survey conducted in spring 2023, the top three perceived barriers to
EV adoption are universal across target audiences. They are as follows:
COST
The upfront cost of buying an electric vehicle
RANGE AND CHARGING
EVs don’t have enough range and there aren’t enough charging stations
TECHNOLOGY WILL BECOME OUTDATED
Concern about EV technology changing fast, and not wanting a vehicle that will be outdated
Concerns
The statements below are perceptions that survey respondents said, with the most frequency, made
them less enthusiastic about EVs. While not explicitly barriers, these statements can factor into
individuals’ decisions not to purchase EVs, and thus should be addressed in educational messaging. It
is important to note that these perceptions may not represent the most up-to-date or accurate state
of EV technology, further necessitating clear, accurate messaging around EVs.
LIFESTYLE
EVs may not work during power outages or if people need to evacuate for wildfires, floods, or
earthquakes. Additionally, EVs don’t work well in cold weather, rural areas, or the mountains.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
EV batteries wear out quickly, can’t be recycled, and use rare earth minerals that are mined in
harmful ways.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 9
Messages
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Messages
Messages
The messages in this section are intended to help consumers overcome barriers and concerns related
to EV adoption and encourage them to take action on the TES’s desired behavior—i.e., buy an EV (or
another EV)—in order to accelerate adoption. Based on survey responses showing that barriers and
messages that improved positive EV perception were universal, this Plan recommends uniform
messaging to the vehicle consumer market as a whole. This is because there was consensus across
market segments on the main barriers to EV adoption, and a lot of similarity in resonant messaging
among the market segments, especially among the primary and secondary target audiences.
Barrier: Cost
The market research findings show that all target audiences are very cost motivated;
combined with the upfront cost of EVs being the highest-ranking barrier across all
market segments, it is clear that opportunities for cost reductions on upfront
purchases and long-term savings should be highlighted in messaging around EV
benefits. The reduced costs of maintenance may resonate with HCFUs especially,
since higher mileage vehicles require more repairs, and individuals who drive higher mileage typically
spend more on maintenance.
Messages
EVs offer impressive cost savings, as the average EV driver will spend roughly $380 on electricity
to charge their vehicle compared to over $2,000 for gasoline annually.
EVs require much less maintenance than traditional gas-powered vehicles, saving drivers time
and money.
On average, EV drivers can expect to pay half the amount in maintenance that gas car drivers
do--$0.31 versus $0.61 per vehicle mile.
EVs are becoming more affordable, with incentives like the Federal Clean Air Tax Credit, which
can save EV drivers up to $7,500 on their purchase/lease of a new EV. Costs associated with EVs
are projected to continue decreasing as technology advances.
You can get a $4,000 tax credit if you purchase a used EV for under $25,000 from a qualified
dealer.
Washington is rolling out a vehicle incentive program to reduce the upfront costs of EVs.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 11
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Messages
Barrier: Range and Charging
When it comes to EVs, concerns about range and charging are at the forefront of
Washingtonians’ minds, and must be addressed in messaging promoting them. First,
survey respondents directly named range and insufficient charging stations as a
barrier to EV adoption. Second, survey responses about which messages cause most
concern show that Washingtonians do not trust batteries or electricity as a reliable
fuel for their vehicles, nor that the electric grid can handle EV charging en masse. To counter this
population-level barrier, the State should focus on how and when EV charging takes place, its
convenience, the affordability of electricity, and its compatibility with most lifestyles. Messages
highlighting fast chargers available at gas stations and free charging at Level 2 public charging
stations are particularly resonant with HCFUs2.
Messages
It is extremely easy and convenient to charge your EV at home. You can just plug it in overnight
and it is fully charged the next morning—no trips to the gas station necessary.
Many EVs’ range is 200-300 miles. Most people do not need to travel this far without a charge
regularly, and most people usually stop for 15-20 minutes at gas stations on longer trips.
Superchargers can charge vehicles to 80% in 15-20 minutes, which is the amount of time
people often spend at gas stations on longer drives.
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, especially in Washington!3 Charging is most affordable at
home, and during off-peak hours, but even public charging stations are cheaper than gas.
The US grid is fully capable of handling more EVs charging, and utilities are building more grid
capacity every day, by adding renewable energy sources and infrastructure. Most EVs are
charged at night when power demand tends to be lowest.
The number of public charging stations is growing across the country, making it easier for EV
drivers to access—and charge at—rural destinations. Washington is investing $250 million over
the next two years to build thousands of charging stations in areas lacking charging
infrastructure.
Many workplaces offer free or discounted charging, providing another convenient place to
charge EVs that takes no additional time out of your day.
2
Joint Transportation Commission. 2023. Encouraging High Consumption Fuel Users to Use Electric
Vehicles.
3
Clean and Prosperous Institute. 2023. State Rankings of Fuel Savings by Switching to Electric
Vehicles.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 12
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Messages
Barrier: Technology will become Outdated
Survey respondents said that their third biggest barrier to buying an EV is concern
that technology is changing so fast and could cause their vehicles to become
outdated. Research shows that one way to combat this attitude is to promote
messaging around current EV performance and emphasize breadth of models
available that can fit different lifestyles (see Concern: Lifestyle).
Messaging Opportunities
EVs encompass a range of models that fit all lifestyles, including compact commuter vehicles,
family-sized cars and SUVs, vehicles with AWD and high clearance for rural roads and
mountains, and pickup trucks.
EVs currently offer nearly equivalent or better performance to gas-powered vehicles in
categories such as acceleration, speed, energy efficiency, and noise.
EVs have advanced technology not accessible in gas-powered vehicles that improves the
driving experience, including:
• Enhanced handling and performance from electric drivetrains
• Regenerative braking, which recharges the vehicle as you brake
• Remote updates that can improve performance and add new features
Leasing is a great way to take advantage of current EV technology for a shorter amount of time
and at a lower cost than purchasing a vehicle.
When you are done with your EV, there is a thriving used EV market ready for its resale.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 13
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Messages
Concern: Lifestyle Needs
According to survey research, messages that correspond to lifestyle compatibility
are the most effective messages to make Washingtonians more likely to switch to an
EV. Interest in new vehicle models and concern about EV functionality in the
mountains and rural areas (e.g., rough, slick, or other hazardous road conditions)
reflect this priority. While HCFUs had similar concerns as non-HCFUs about EV
lifestyle compatibility, the HCFU audience was most concerned about reliable long-distance travel,
vehicle longevity, and interior comfort4. Lifestyle messaging also can help address people’s concern
about vehicles becoming outdated. People who have the choice tend to choose vehicles that fit their
lifestyle regardless of the type of fuel, and most of the market then keeps their vehicles for at least 5
years, so it is essential that messaging convinces consumers that EVs will fit their lifestyle.
Messaging Opportunities
EVs come in a range of models and sizing, allowing drivers to find a vehicle that fits their needs.
Moreover, their electric powertrain makes them easy and fun to drive.
With increasing numbers of public charging stations, EVs are more convenient than ever.
With federal tax incentives and many rebate programs available, EVs are becoming more
affordable. EVs are also very reliable and have lower associated maintenance costs than
traditional gasoline vehicles.
EVs are the perfect car for day-to-day activities such as commuting or running errands, as users
can easily charge vehicles overnight.
EVs retain most of their full range even in winter cold and extreme heat. Preheating systems
and heat pumps are also being used to accelerate charging and boost range in cold
temperatures.
Many EV models—including a variety of pickup trucks and SUVs—offer high clearance and AWD,
allowing them to perform well in the mountains.
Many EV models, including AWD and pickup EVs, have ranges of over 300 miles—plenty for even
most rural travel distances.
Many EV models have the same towing capability as non-EVs.
4
Joint Transportation Commission. 2023. Encouraging High Consumption Fuel Users to Use Electric
Vehicles.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 14
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Messages
EVs include models that meet the needs of HCFUs, including large cargo capacity, tow hitches,
separate bed with tailgate, and above-average horsepower.
Electric pickups can power your campsite, campervan, worksite, or even home.
Concern: Environmental Impact
EV messaging research also shows that consumers are concerned about the
environment. The top deterrent message was about the environmental harm of EV
batteries, while some market segments listed improvement in air quality as a reason
to switch to an EV. Messaging around current EV technology improving environmental
outcomes such as reducing fossil fuel consumption and air pollution appeals to
consumers’ desire to protect the environment they live in. Appealing to consumers’ environmentalist
values can also potentially offset other barriers by framing as alignment with their ideals and thus
worth it.
Messaging Opportunities
Studies show that EVs produce around half of the carbon pollution of gas-powered vehicles
over their lifetime, even when accounting for manufacturing, and this is even less in
Washington, where our grid is almost all powered by renewable energy.
In combination with their lower life cycle emissions, EVs have zero tailpipe emissions, reducing
air pollution and improving the air we breathe.
EV batteries are required by law to maintain their health and performance for at least 100,000
miles or 7-8 years, and evidence is showing that many vehicles last much longer than that with
the same batteries.
EV batteries can be recycled or refurbished, just like traditional gas-powered vehicle batteries,
and many manufacturers reuse batteries.
EVs do not produce exhaust, so more EVs leads to cleaner air, which leads to fewer health
problems like asthma, respiratory disease, heart disease, and lung cancer.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 15
Trusted Information Channels
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Trusted Information Channels
Trusted Information Channels
How information is disseminated is just as important as the messages being promoted. The sources
that consumers use to learn about EVs informs the recommendations in the strategies and tactics.
Using trusted information channels improve the probability that consumers will internalize messages
promoting EVs, take action to purchase them, and narrow the EV adoption chasm in the framework.
Survey respondents across all target audiences trusted the same top two information sources for
information about cars. The third most trusted channel varied by audience.
Universal Trusted Information Channels
• Family and friends
• Car websites
Other Common Trusted Information Channels
• YouTube reviews
• Auto magazines
• Social media
• Regular mechanic
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 17
Equity Considerations
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Equity Considerations
Equity Considerations
Race/Ethnicity
Reported barriers to EV adoption and trusted information channels were the same across racial
and ethnic groups and aligned with the primary target audience by readiness. However, messaging
that resonated most with each racial/ethnic group was more diverse and variable. There were no
messages that were in the top three most resonant for every race/ethnicity, in terms of making
respondents more likely to consider getting an EV for their household.
Messaging
The following table describes which messages resonated most with different race/ethnic groups.
Respondents identifying as Asian or Hispanic/Latino found messaging around EVs’ affordability to
operate most resonant, while respondents identifying as Black or Native American, Alaska Native,
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander found messaging around diverse EV models most resonant. In
Error! Reference source not found., messages are ranked first, second, and third according to how
they resonated with each group. Blank cells indicate no or very low resonance.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 19
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Equity Considerations
Table 1. Resonant messages by racial/ethnic demographic
High resonance Medium resonance Some resonance
(“I feel this”) (“I get this”) (“I hear this”)
Hispanic/
Asian Black Latino Other1
Message
EVs’ affordability to operate:
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV
can save you thousands of dollars in operating costs.
Diverse EV models:
More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto
the market, with pick-ups, SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and
other options now available.
Air quality and health:
EVs are one of the best ways for us to improve air quality. Better air
quality prevents asthma, heart disease, and lung disease that cause
early death.
Charging infrastructure:
Washington is installing thousands of fast chargers a year, so a strong
charging network will soon be in place across the state.
Upfront affordability:
There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range.
Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs
means you could pay the same or even less for an EV than a
comparable gas-powered car.
Home charging:
80% of charging happens at home and many EVs come with a
portable charger.
1
Cascadia recognizes Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
as distinct racial and ethnic groups, but grouped them in survey results to form a comparable sample
size of respondents. We acknowledge that with a larger sample size, further disaggregation of data
between these groups would provide more a more accurate understanding of survey responses by
population.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 20
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Equity Considerations
Region
Messages that resonated with respondents also varied across regions. Three messages resonated
(i.e., were selected in top 3 most effective messages) with more than half of the regions surveyed,
suggesting that regionally targeted messaging could make a difference in EV adoption. The maps
below describe which messages resonated most with specific regions. The highlighted regions are
those where the messages (EV affordability to operate, upfront affordability, etc.) ranked in the top 3
messages for that region.
Figure 2. Messaging resonance across geographic regions
EVs’ affordability to operate
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can save
you thousands of dollars in operating costs. This message resonated most
with respondents in most regions of the state, except the southeast, a little
bit of the northeast, and the South Sound.
Upfront affordability
There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range.
Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs means you
could pay the same or even less for an EV than a comparable gas-powered
car. This message resonated most with respondents from the eastern part
of the state, the northwest, and the and South Sound.
Diverse EV models
More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto the
market, with pick-ups, SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and other options
now available. This message resonated most with respondents in most
regions, minus northeast WA, King County, and the South Sound.
Air quality and health
EVs are one of the most important ways for us to improve air quality. Better
air quality prevents asthma and heart and lung diseases that cause early
death. This message resonated most with respondents from King County,
South Sound, and Olympic Peninsula.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 21
Strategies and Tactics
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Strategies and Tactics
Strategies and Tactics
This section describes steps that the State can take to reduce Washingtonians’ stated barriers to
switching to EVs and promote the desired behaviors of buying more EVs.
Since the barriers to EV adoption were the same across market segments, this Plan recommends
uniform strategies to reduce the barriers to changing vehicles and promote purchasing an EV. Figure 6
outlines the EV purchase decision-making spectrum and the common path consumers take to go from
EV awareness and consideration to actually purchasing an EV. The Plan also recommends a phased
approach, to allow for more monitoring and application of best practices during implementation. This
presents opportunities to time different messages at different stages of decision-making based on
consumer readiness. Some target audiences may only fit into certain decision-making stages of this
spectrum, such as current EV drivers who enter at the evaluation, purchase, or advocacy stages.
Figure 1. EV purchase decision-making spectrum (Adapted from the Colorado Department of Energy)
The strategies and tactics included in this section focus on the first three stages of this spectrum—
Awareness, Consideration, and Evaluation—because those are the stages in which potential EV buyers
gather information to choose their next vehicle. Overall, this progression begins with developing an
awareness of how an EV could fit into a consumer’s life and then aims to address the specific needs
and questions each consumer has before ultimately purchasing an EV. The tables below each strategy
description list the tactics under each strategy; the messaging categories that pertain to each tactic
(which also correspond to which barriers and concerns the tactic addresses); the recommended
implementation year, and performance metrics.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 23
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Strategies and Tactics
Strategy 1: Build awareness of benefits of EVs
Consumers, even those that are ready to adopt, are concerned about the price of purchasing or
leasing an EV. This strategy serves two purposes. First, it creates environmental triggers that regularly
bring EVs to the front of consumers’ minds. Second, it advertises incentives that reduce upfront
costs—addressing the number one barrier to EV adoption across the market.
Tactics
Tactic Messaging Timeline Metrics
KEY = cost = technology = charging = lifestyle = environmental impact = grid resilience = myth busting
Establish a website that serves as a
• Website is launched by 2024
central resource clearinghouse for
Year 1 • Visits to website
EV information in Washington, with
• Website visits by region
staff assigned to various regions.
Educate car dealerships to discuss
• Number or percentage of
EV incentives and cost savings with
dealerships educated, by
buyers, and fleet owners on
Year 1 region
rebates and cost savings for their
• Number of people buying
businesses
EVs from dealers, by region
• Number of local utilities
disseminating EV-positive
Work with utilities to promote EVs. Year 1 messaging
• Number of tools utilities use
to promote EVs
Develop case studies/testimonials
with people from different
• Number of case studies
communities, regions, languages,
developed
and lifestyles, emphasizing Year 1
• Number of times played
reliability and long-term cost
• Number of inquiries
savings. Disseminate on car
websites and YouTube channels.
Work with an ad firm to identify
locations for maximum reach and • Number of billboards put up
put up roadside billboards or Year 2 • Number of inquiries about
digital display ads on highway incentives on website
advertising.
Work with an ad firm to identify
• Number of radio/television/
best placements for radio and
Year 2 internet ads played
television PSAs for maximum
• Number of website clicks
reach.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 24
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Strategies and Tactics
Tactic Messaging Timeline Metrics
KEY = cost = technology = charging = lifestyle = environmental impact = grid resilience = myth busting
• Number of materials
transcreated
Promote equity-centered
• Number of materials
incentives with community-based
disseminated
organizations and government
• Number of languages
agencies that serve target
Year 2 translated into
communities with multi-media
• Number of
content for physical locations,
agencies/organizations
website, social platforms and
disseminated to
ethnic media.
• Number of inquiries about
equity-based incentives
Strategy 2: Facilitate consideration of EVs by potential buyers
EV range, and questions of how and when to charge, are some of the things that are most different
about EVs compared to gas-powered vehicles. However, gas-powered vehicles have range (the
distance traveled on a tank of gas) and need to be fueled, too. Additionally, gas is more expensive
than electricity, and gas-powered vehicles typically cannot be refueled at home. This strategy focuses
on drawing comparisons between internal combustion vehicles and EVs so that consumers can make
choices with robust information.
Tactics
Tactic Messaging Timeline Metrics
KEY = cost = technology = charging = lifestyle = environmental impact = grid resilience = myth busting
Disseminate materials comparing
• Number of materials
the mpg and range equivalent of a
disseminated
gas tank with that of an EV to car Year 1
• Number of clicks on PSAs
websites, dealerships, fleet owners,
• Number of visits to website
mechanics.
Implement charging
demonstrations in public places,
• Number of demonstrations
especially places that people spend Year 1
• Number of visits to website
time—workplaces, parking lots of
movie theaters, restaurants, etc.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 25
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Strategies and Tactics
Tactic Messaging Timeline Metrics
KEY = cost = technology = charging = lifestyle = environmental impact = grid resilience = myth busting
Create video case stories and
testimonials across communities,
• Number of video case
geographies, use cases, and
stories created
language groups about the
• Number of times videos
convenience of charging in daily life, Year 1
played
and disseminate them on YouTube
• Number of platforms
channels and car websites. Include
played on
a testimonial about charging at
home—a concern for HCFUs.
Develop targeted campaigns for
HCFUs, who are more open to • Number of ads targeting
purchasing new vehicles and show a Year 1 HFCUs
higher willingness to lease new • Number of clicks on ads
vehicles than non-HCFUs.
Advertise new charging locations
and the charging network as a • Number of Ads
whole on the internet. Include Years 1-2 • Number of clicks/website
organizing celebrations/events to visits
announce new charging locations.
Advertise fast charging at existing • Number of ads
gas stations, fast charging along key disseminated
highway corridors, and free public Year 2 • Number of people who
Level 2 charging, especially for recall seeing them
HCFUs.
Strategy 3: Promote evaluation of EVs vs gas-powered vehicles to shift readiness
Washingtonians identified concerns that their vehicle would become outdated as a primary barrier to
switching to an EV; however, all vehicles become outdated after a few years and lack the latest
features. According to market research beyond Washington, it is essential that consumers feel like an
EV fits into their lifestyle, by highlighting the variety of models at all price points; functions like all
wheel drive and clearance; or the ability to fit multiple car seats. Washingtonians’ most trusted
sources of information on vehicles are friends and family, so leveraging networks is also key to
promoting EVs.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 26
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Strategies and Tactics
Tactics
Tactic Messaging Timeline Performance Metrics
KEY = cost = technology = charging = lifestyle = environmental impact = grid resilience = myth busting
Hold community-based Year 1-2 • Number of events held
ride and drive events. • Number of communities events held in
• Number of attendees/participants
• Number of people who follow up with a
dealer
Support network-based Years 1-2 • Number of events held
ride and drive events at • Number of different settings
locations such as • Number of attendees
workplaces, schools, • Number of people who follow up on
churches, and vacation website
resorts.
Encourage car rental Year 1 • Number of rental agencies offering EVs
companies to offer EVs • Number of rental agencies promoting
to clients. EVs
• Number of unique EV rentals
Incentivize local EV Years 1-2 • Number of advocacy groups recruited
advocacy groups to • Number of promotional events done
promote EVs to their • Number of people in attendance at
communities. events
• Number of communities served by local
advocacy groups
Create a network of EV • Number of ambassadors in network
ambassadors. • Number of people ambassadors reach
Create video case Years 1-2 • Number of case story videos created
stories and advertise • Number of plays
them on social • Number of platforms
media/YouTube. • Number of clicks directing people to the
Highlight the website
performance
characteristics of
different EV models,
especially as they relate
to HCFU priorities.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 27
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Strategies and Tactics
Strategy 4: Identify and secure funding for implementation
Funding is a crucial part of any successful marketing campaign. Funding is required for staff to
implement these recommendations, and many of the recommendations themselves are expensive.
Funding sources should be identified and secured for the duration of the Plan’s implementation.
Tactics
Tactic Timeline Performance Metrics
Identify operating funds in the budget Years 1-2 • Budget funding for EV Education Plan staff
to hire 5 staff to implement the • Staff hired and managing the Plan’s
recommended tactics in the Plan: implementation
• A project manager
• A person to manage each of
the previous three education
strategies
• A monitoring/evaluation lead
Request funding to implement the Year 1 • Funding to implement ride and drive events
outreach strategies and tactics in the • Funding to develop, transcreate, and
Plan. translate case stories
• Funding to advertise case stories on
YouTube and car websites
• Funding for internet advertising
• Funding for ads
• Funding for print materials
• Funding for charging demonstrations
• Funding for billboards
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 28
Monitoring and Evaluation
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Monitoring and Evaluation
Process Monitoring
Throughout implementation, staff will follow a process monitoring plan to monitor fidelity and reach.
Media tactics will be monitored through media reports to ensure all elements are running as intended
and on the intended timeline. Designated staff will check physical media (e.g., roadside billboards,
flyers) periodically to ensure they remain physically available and attractively presented. Earned
media related to the program will be logged and stored in a central database to gauge the extent to
which EV marketing is in the spotlight and general public reception. Program staff will conduct site
visits at ride-and-drive events hosted by community-based organizations and “networks” (e.g.,
schools, churches) to assess level of commitment and sustained buy-in.
Impact Evaluation
The evaluation will assess the effect of the Education Plan on TES outcomes—specifically, the number
of EVs purchased and registered in Washington. Direct impacts to be measured will include consumer
awareness of EVs; consideration of EVs, including where potential consumers go to research an EV;
and change in readiness to switch to an EV over time.
The baseline for consumer awareness, consideration, and readiness is the Washington Statewide EV
Survey administered in spring 2023, the results of which are included in Appendix A: Washington EV
Survey Report. A second survey should be administered in two to three years (late 2025 or early 2026),
or after the implementation of the Education Plan tactics, and should ask all of the same questions,
along with additional questions asking about recall of media tactics, demonstration tactics, and
advocacy tactics. This will allow for a pre- and post-study comparison.
The section below provides recommended evaluation questions, metrics, methods, and data sources
for awareness, consideration, and readiness to choose EVs. The evaluation questions aim to assess
two things—first, if WA consumers are receiving the information they need to move along the EV
purchase decision making spectrum, and second, if the education plan is having an impact on
consumers’ receipt of that information. The evaluation questions are organized by strategy, and
within each strategy, the first question is, has consumer knowledge, attitude, or belief changed; the
second question is if the Education Plan tactics are successful.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 30
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Monitoring and Evaluation
Awareness
Evaluation Question: Are Washington vehicle consumers more aware of EVs?
Metrics Evaluation Methods and Data Sources
Number of visits to State EV website Track number between January 2024 and 2026
This monthly data can be obtained using Google
Analytics or a similar website
Number of EV searches in WA (on the Track number between January 2024 and 2026
internet) This can be measured using a social listening tool
Volume of EV mentions (on social media) Track number between January 2024 and 2026
This can be measured using a social listening tool
Evaluation Question: Are Washington vehicle consumers aware of the Education Plan’s awareness
tactics?
Metrics Evaluation Methods and Data Sources
Estimate of number of people exposed to Estimate based on social listening/analytics tools
advertisements Number of people in physical spaces where flyers are
available
Number of people who drive on sections of road where
billboards are located
Percent of people who say they remember Spontaneous surveys of people in places where they
seeing state EV advertisements would have seen advertising (e.g., a website, a location,
etc.)
Percentage of survey respondents who say they
remember advertisements from post-implementation
survey (recommended spring 2026 ).
Consideration
Evaluation Question: Are more people considering EVs?
Metric Evaluation Method
Number of people researching EVs online Web analytics data
Track change between 2024 and 2026
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 31
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Monitoring and Evaluation
Metric Evaluation Method
Percentage of viewers who click on internet Web analytics
ads
Percentage of potential car buyers at Data from dealerships
dealerships asking about EVs Track percentage between 2024 and 2026
Evaluation Question: Are Education Plan tactics influencing more people to consider EVs?
Metric Evaluation Method
Percentage of people who say they have Data from survey to be readministered every 2-3 years
attended a ride and drive or charging Track percent change between spring 2023 and post-
demonstration implementation survey (recommended spring 2026).
Percentage of people who attended a ride Data from survey to be readministered every 2-3 years
and drive or charging demonstration who (post-implementation survey recommended spring
say they are very likely/likely to consider an 2026).
EV for their next vehicle.
Readiness to choose EVs
Evaluation Question: Is readiness to choose EVs growing?
Metric Evaluation Method
Percentage of people who say they are very Data from survey to be readministered every 2-3 years
likely to choose an EV as their next vehicle Track percent change between spring 2023 and post-
implementation survey (recommended spring 2026).
Percentage of people who say they are Data from survey to be readministered every 2-3 years
likely or somewhat likely to choose an EV as Track percent change between spring 2023 and post-
their next vehicle implementation survey (recommended spring 2026).
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 32
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Monitoring and Evaluation
Evaluation Question: Is the Education Plan pointing consumers to places where they can determine
which EV is best for them?
Metric Evaluation Method
Percentage of people who say they were Data from survey to be readministered every 2-3 years
influenced to further investigate EVs by Track percent change between spring 2023 and post-
Education Plan tactics (list) implementation survey (recommended spring 2026).
Pop up surveys on car websites and at dealerships
Demographic considerations
The results of the evaluation questions above should also be analyzed by demographic variables
(Table 2: Demographic Variables). This information will help the State identify gaps in effective
messaging or tactic implementation by age, gender, region, race/ethnicity, education level, and
income. Understanding the effectiveness of the Education Plan’s tactics with a variety of specific
groups will help the State understand if its messages and tactics are being received similarly across
diverse groups, and inform modifications and targeting of future education campaigns if necessary.
Table 2: Demographic Variables
Demographic Variables
Age
Gender
Region
Race/Ethnicity
Education level
Income
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 33
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Introduction
This document reports the findings of the Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy
(TES) Survey (survey), which primarily centers personal electric vehicles (EVs). This survey is one
component of the engagement strategy for the TES, and findings from the survey have been
triangulated with data from interviews and focus groups conducted with key stakeholders to inform
the policy recommendations in the TES.
The TES Survey aims to understand Washington State residents’ perceptions of personal EVs and
factors that may impact these perceptions. Findings describe respondents’ intentions around vehicle
purchasing in general and EV purchasing specifically; define market segments by readiness to
purchase an EV; and identify perceptions around EVs, barriers to purchasing an EV, and messages that
make respondents more or less likely to buy or lease one. The survey findings, in particular, inform
this Education Plan, which is a three-year plan that supports the goal to accelerate personal EV
adoption and driving among the public who own or lease vehicles, by increasing awareness of the
benefits of EVs, and consideration of them as compatible with consumer values and lifestyle.
Survey Methodology
Strategic Research Associates (SRA) of Spokane, Washington, was subcontracted to support this
survey work, including sample development and data collection for a statistically representative
statewide survey of Washington State residents to provide a dataset statistically relevant to the
population of the state at 95% confidence +/- 5%. This means that we can be 95% certain that the
values listed for the total respondents fall within 1.78% on either side of the listed value.
SRA used 2022 American Community Survey estimates to establish quotas by age, gender, and region
for data collection, then purchased and secured samples for mixed-mode online and telephone data
collection among the targeted regions and collected at least 3,000 responses within the quota
controls for analysis.
The survey took participants on average 17 minutes to complete over the phone and included 30
questions, a mix of open-ended, rating, scale, and single-choice questions. SRA collected a total of
3,026 responses from Washington State residents in a balanced manner for data analysis via random
respondent selection.
Statistical confidence intervals of the dataset provided from these representative sources can be
summarized in the following table.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 35
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Statistical confidence intervals by quota region
Quota region (Counties) +/- % at 95% confidence Sample size (n)
Total +/-1.78% 3,026
King County +/- 3.63% 730
South Sound (Pierce and Thurston Counties) +/- 4.3% 520
Southwest WA (Lewis, Pacific, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, +/- 5.8% 285
Clark, Skamania)
Olympic Peninsula (Kitsap, Mason, Grays Harbor, +/- 7.24% 183
Jefferson, Clallam)
Northwest WA (Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, +/- 4.61% 452
Island, San Juan)
Central WA (Chelan, Okanogan, Douglas, Kittitas, +/- 7% 196
Yakima, Grant, Klickitat)
Southeast WA (Benton, Franklin, Adams, Walla +/- 5.87% 279
Walla, Columbia, Whitman, Garfield, Adams)
Northeast WA (Ferry, Stevens, Pend Orielle, +/- 5.02% 381
Lincoln, Spokane)
Key Insights
This section provides a summary of key findings from three categories: all respondents; our market
segments, and equity demographics. We organized the results to answer key questions that will
inform the Education Plan.
The top barriers to adoption, concerns about EVs, and trusted sources of information are universal.
The messages that respondents say make them more likely to switch to an EV vary by readiness to
adopt, race/ethnicity, age, and region and are more diverse.
Responses related to EV perceptions were similar across market segments, but more different across
regions and race/ethnicity.
Size of Potential Audience
Our key audience is people who are ready to adopt; they will replace their vehicle within five years and
are already likely to choose an EV.
• 63% of all respondents say they will replace their vehicle within 5 years
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 36
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
• 45% of all respondents say it is very likely, likely, or somewhat likely their next vehicle will be
an EV
• 27% of all respondents say that they will both replace their vehicle within 5 and years are very-
to-somewhat likely to choose an EV.
• 10% of all respondents say that they will both replace their vehicle within 5 years and are
neutral to unlikely to choose an EV.
Barriers
The top barriers to adoption are universal. All audiences regardless of their readiness to adopt, region,
and race/ethnicity all reported the same top three barriers to buying or leasing an EV in the same
order:
• Upfront cost: The upfront cost of buying an EV is too high.
• Concerns about range and charging: EVs don’t have enough range and there aren’t enough
charging stations to get where I need to go.
• Concerns about outdated technology: EV technology is changing fast and I don’t want to buy
a new car that will be outdated.
All market segments shared the top two concerns that could become barriers to EV adoption:
• Concerns about batteries: EV batteries wear out quickly, can’t be recycled, and use rare earth
minerals that are mined in harmful ways.
• Concerns about function in emergencies: EVs may not work during power outages or if
people need to evacuate for wildfires, floods, or earthquakes.
Messages
All market segments said the following two messages would make them more likely to get an EV:
• EVs’ affordability to operate: Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can save you thousands of
dollars in operating costs.
• Upfront affordability: There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range.
Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs means you could pay the
same or even less for an EV than a comparable gas-powered car.
Resonant messages were more diverse across racial/ethnic groups. Messages that resonated with 3
of 4 groups were the following:
• EVs’ affordability to operate: Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can save you thousands of
dollars in operating costs.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 37
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
- Asian, Black, Latino respondents
• Diverse EV models: More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto the
market, with pick-ups, SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and other options now available.
- Black, Latino, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander respondents
Messages that resonated with respondents across age groups were more diverse. One message
resonated across all age groups, and two more messages resonated with 5 of 7 age groups:
• EVs’ affordability to operate: Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can save you thousands of
dollars in operating costs.
- Age groups 15-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
• Air quality and health: EVs are one of the most important ways for us to improve air quality.
Better air quality prevents asthma, heart, and lung diseases that cause early death.
- Age groups 15-29, 40-49, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
• Diverse EV models: More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto the
market, with pick-ups, SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and other options now available.
- Age groups 30-39, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
Messages that resonated with respondents also varied across regions. The most resonant message
resonated with respondents from 6 regions, and two additional messages resonated with respondents
from 5 of 8 regions. They were the following:
• EVs’ affordability to operate: Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can save you thousands of
dollars in operating costs.
- NE WA, Central, NW WA, OP, SW WA, King
• Upfront affordability: There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range.
Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs means you could pay the
same or even less for an EV than a comparable gas-powered car.
- SE WA, NE WA, NW WA, SW WA, S. Sound
• Diverse EV models: More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto the
market, with pick-ups, SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and other options now available.
- SE WA, Central, NW WA, OP, SW WA
Information Sources
The top two trusted information sources were the same across audiences and demographics:
• Friends and family
• Online car shopping sites
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 38
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Survey findings—all respondents
Will EV owners buy or lease another EV?
68% of respondents who own an EV are either very likely or likely to buy another EV for their next
vehicle and less than 5% said that they are not at all likely to buy an EV for their next vehicle.
Current EV owners by likelihood of buying another EV
Current EV Owners by Likelihood of Buying Another EV
n=568
47%
50.0%
40.0%
30.0%
21%
20.0% 16%
7%
10.0% 3% 1% 4% 1%
0.0%
(7) VERY (6) (5) (4) NEITHER (3) (2) (1) NOT AT * DON'T
LIKELY ALL LIKELY KNOW
How soon are people going to buy a new car?
63% of respondents say they will likely replace their car within 5 years. See the "Market segments”
section for demographic characteristics.
Timeframe respondents plan to buy their next vehicle
Timeframe Respondents plan to buy their next vehicle
n=3,026
120.0% 100.0%
100.0% 83.0% 88.5%
77.7%
80.0% 62.7%
60.0% 41.6%
40.0% 27.1% 21.1%
14.5%
14.5% 15.0% 11.5%
20.0% 5.3% 5.5%
0.0%
WITHIN THE WITHIN THE WITHIN THE WITHIN THE 10 OR MORE NEVER / I DON’T NOT SURE /
NEXT YEAR NEXT 1 TO 3 NEXT 3 TO 5 NEXT 5 TO 10 YEARS FROM PLAN TO OWN DON’T KNOW
YEARS YEARS YEARS NOW OR LEASE A
PERSONAL
VEHICLE
% Cumulative %
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 39
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Who is most likely to buy a vehicle within 5 years?
People of all demographics said they plan to buy a vehicle in 5 years, but this group of people were
more likely to have certain demographic factors.
Respondents who plan to buy a vehicle within the next 5 years tend to be under 50, male, live in a
single-family house that they own, and have a driveway or garage. There is also a larger proportion of
people who plan to buy a vehicle within 5 years who live in Puget Sound or Northwest WA compared
to other regions in the state. However, one key difference between people who will buy a vehicle in 5
years and those who will buy a vehicle in 5 years and choose an EV is gender—female respondents
are more likely to choose an EV.
Characteristics of respondents who plan to buy a vehicle in 5 years
Characteristics of Percentage of Percentage of Percentage of
survey respondents: respondents who plan respondents who plan respondents who plan
to buy a vehicle within to buy a vehicle in 5 to buy a vehicle in 5
5 years (n=1,897) years and are very years and are
likely to choose an EV somewhat likely to
(n=813) choose an EV (n=813)
Age: • 63% age 49 or • 59% 49 or younger • 61% 49 or younger
younger
Gender • 67% male • 53% female • 51% female
Top two regions • 37.6% in Puget • 34% in King County* • 29% in King County*
Sound • 17% in South Sound • 18% in South Sound
• 14.5% in Northwest
WA
Type of housing lived • 72% Single family • 72% Single family • 72% Single family
in house house house
Owned or rented • 65% Homeowners • 65% homeowners • 60% Homeowners
(n=2819)
Parking situation • 55% personal • 55% personally • 53% personal
driveway (n=2820) owned garage driveway
• 53% personal garage • 53% personal garage
*denotes statistical significance
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 40
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
What is the likelihood of people’s next vehicle being an EV?
45% of respondents said they are either somewhat likely, likely, or very likely to buy an EV for their
next vehicle.
Likelihood of next vehicle being an EV
Likelihood of next vehicle being an EV
100.0% n=2,458 94%
88%
80.0% 65%
55% 60%
60.0% 45%
40.0% 29%
18% 22%
11% 16%
20.0% 10% 6% 7% 6%
4%
0.0%
(7) VERY LIKELY (5) SOMEWHAT (3) SOMEWHAT (1) NOT AT ALL * DON'T KNOW
LIKELY UNLIKELY LIKELY
% Cumulative %
What are the barriers to EV adoption for all respondents?
The table below lists six reasons respondents were given that people may choose not to buy an EV.
The barriers are listed in order of percentage of respondents who selected “Strongly agree” or “Agree”
when asked about the following barriers to EV adoption.
• The upfront cost of buying an EV is the number one barrier to EV adoption among all
respondents.
• Concerns about range and sufficient charging stations was the second highest-ranking barrier.
• Desire to not have an outdated vehicle was the third most cited barrier to buying an EV.
Barriers to EV adoption (all respondents)
Barrier % of respondents who selected
strongly agree or agree (n= 2,859)
The upfront cost of buying an electric vehicle is too high 51%
EVs don’t have enough range and there aren’t enough charging 46%
stations to get to where I need to go
Electric vehicle technology is changing fast and I don’t want to 34%
buy a car that will be outdated
The types of EVs available are not the kind I want 27%
I’m not sure how to charge an electric vehicle 19%
EVs are hard to find to buy or lease 18%
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 41
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Who did we hear from?
This section provides an overview of the demographics of the survey respondents. Respondents are
overwhelmingly White, and almost 85% speak English at home. The majority are under 50, and over a
third were from Puget Sound, with most from King County. Nearly half of respondents (48%) make under
$75,000/year, and 44% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Where data is available, we have included Washington State census data for ease of comparability.
Percentage of all respondents by race/ethnicity (Source: US Census Population Estimates, July 1, 2022 (U.S. Census
Bureau))
Respondents by Race/Ethnicity
100% n= 3,026
76%77%
80%
60%
40%
14%
20% 9% 7% 5% 6% 11% 3% 2% 1% 1% 1% n/a 0%
0%
der r
asian ic/La
tino Black Asian ative Islan e Eas
tern Othe
it e/ Cauc pan A l as ka N cifi c i ddl
Wh His rican
/
ian/P
a M
t iv e Ame
v e H awai
Na Nat i Survey Census
Percentage of all respondents by education level
Respondents by Education Levels
n=3,026
38%
40.0%
30.0% 26%
18%
20.0%
11%
10.0% 5%
0.0%
Less than High High School Associates Bachelor's degree Post-graduate
School Technical School educaiton
Some college
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 42
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Percentage of respondents by income
Respondents by Income
n=3,026
20.0% 18%
18.0% 17%
15%
16.0% 13%
14.0%
12.0% 9%
10.0% 9%
7%
8.0% 5%
6.0% 4% 4%
4.0%
2.0%
0.0%
0 $1 5, 5,99 9
$7,0 $2 5,
00 0-$2 4, 99 9
0 0- $5 0,
00
00
0-$4 9, 99 9
AN $1 $7 5,00
0-
0-
$7 4, 99 9
TH $7 $1 00 ,0 $9 9, 99 9
S ,0 0 $1 50 ,0
00
00
-$
-$
149, 999
LE S
M OR E TH AN $2
200,
00
000
IP RE FE R NO ,0 00
T TO SA Y
Washington population by income (Source: US Census Population Estimates, July1, 2022. US Census Bureau)
Washington State Population 38%
40%
31%
30%
18%
20%
10% 4% 7%
3%
0%
< $10,000 $10,000 - $15,000 - $25,000 - $50,000 - $100,000+
$14,999 $24,999 $49,999 $99,999
The breakdowns of the charts above do not match, because the TES Survey used a different income
scale than the figures reported by the U.S. Census ACS, to better reflect levels of poverty according to
federal standards, where $14,000 is roughly equal to the federal poverty line of an individual and
$28,000 that of a family of four.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 43
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Percentage of respondents by household language spoken
Respondents by Household Language Spoken
n=3,026
1.0%
7.7%
8.4%
84.3%
ENGLISH ALONE SPANISH CHINESE (MANDARIN) OTHER
Washington population by language spoken
WA Population by Language
20.30%
79.70%
English Other
The breakdowns of the charts above do not match, because the TES Survey used different language
definitions than the those reported by the U.S. Census.
We look at key demographic information by market segment in the next section.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 44
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Market segments—EV adoption segments
The project team examined survey responses in greater detail by breaking them down into four
market segments, based on two questions: When do people plan to buy their next car, and when do
they plan to buy their first EV?
Figure 1: Social Marketing Adoption Curve (adapted from the Colorado Energy Office EV Education and Awareness
Roadmap)
The project team identified four market segments, described below. All 4 segments were relatively
homogeneous.
• Ready to Adopt are respondents who said they plan to buy a vehicle within 5 years and are
very likely to buy or lease an EV.
• Open to Adopt respondents said they plan to buy a vehicle within 5 years and are likely or
somewhat likely to buy or lease an EV.
• Second Wave respondents said they plan to buy an EV within 5 years and are neutral,
somewhat unlikely, or unlikely to buy an EV.
• On Hold respondents said they plan to buy or lease a new vehicle in 5-10 years.
This section presents the findings across the market segments followed by detailed results in tables
and graphs by each market segment: 1) Ready to Adopts; 2) Open to Adopt; 3) Second Wave; 4) On
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 45
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Hold. The demographic characteristics, barriers to EV adoption, educational needs, and messages
about EVs that resonate are identified for each audience. Paired/overlap Z-test analysis was used to
examine response differences across market segments. Key differences noted at the 95% confidence
interval.
Market Segment Findings:
This section highlights some key findings across the market segments divided by readiness to
purchase an EV. There were many similarities across audiences, especially in the highest-ranking
responses. Differences were primarily in lower ranking responses.
BARRIERS
The barriers for all market segments to purchase an EV were the same, in the same order.
• Upfront Cost: The upfront cost of buying an electric vehicle is too high
• Range and Charging Infrastructure: EVs don’t have enough range and there aren’t enough
charging stations to get to where I need to go
• Outdated vehicle technology: Electric vehicle technology is changing fast, and I don’t want
to buy a car that will be outdated
Top barriers
Barrier Current Ready to Open to Second Wave On Hold
Drivers Adopt n=330 Adopt n=296 n=453
n=568 n=483
Upfront cost 49% 38% 47% 53% 52%
Range and 45% 29% 38% 50% 50%
charging
Outdated 48% 26% 30% 27% 35%
technology
Limited options 27%
CONCERNS
Respondents across all market segments reported the following two messages would most likely
negatively impact their likelihood of purchasing an EV:
• Battery sustainability: EV batteries wear out quickly, can’t be recycled, and use rare earth
minerals that are mined in harmful ways.
• EV function in emergencies: EVs may not work during power outages or if people need to
evacuate for wildfires, floods, or earthquakes.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 46
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Top concerns
Concern Current Ready to Open to Second On Hold
Drivers Adopt n=330 Adopt Wave n=453
n=568 n=483 n=296
Battery sustainability 24% 37% 40% 48% 55%
Function in 21% 32% 36% 46% 52%
emergencies
There were also some differences in messaging that respondents said would influence them away
from choosing an EV.
• Ready-to-Adopters said that messaging around the potential for EVs stressing the grid was
least likely to influence them to get an EV.
• Open-to-Adopters, Second Wave, and On Hold respondents said that messaging around “EVs
not working well in cold weather, rural areas, or the mountains” was least likely to influence
them to get an EV.
RESONANT MESSAGES
Every audience reported the following two messages would make them more likely to get an EV:
• Operational Savings: Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can save you thousands of
dollars in operating costs.
• Upfront affordability: There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range.
Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs means you could pay the
same or even less for an EV than a comparable gas-powered car.
Top messages
Message Current Ready to Open to Second Wave On Hold
Drivers Adopt n=330 Adopt n=296 n=453
n=483
Operational savings 62% 72% 49% 59% 40%
Upfront 62% 71% 47% 59% 36%
affordability
The third most resonant messages that respondents said would influence them to buy an EV varied by
readiness to adopt.
• Current Driver respondents noted that “more models of EVs coming on the market” was more
likely to influence them to get an EV.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 47
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
• “More models of EVs coming on the market” resonated with Ready to Adopts and Second
Wave.
• Open to Adopt respondents said that messaging around “Washington installing thousands of
fast chargers a year.”
• On Hold respondents said messaging around “EVs improving air quality” was more likely to
influence them to get an EV.
INFORMATION SOURCES
The top two trusted information sources were the same across audiences.
• Friends and family
• Online car shopping sites
Top trusted information sources
Message Current Ready to Open to Second Wave On Hold
Drivers Adopt n=330 Adopt n=296 n=453
n=483
Friends or 59% 70% 71% 74% 73%
family
Online car sites 55% 36% 51% 55%
The third most trusted information source was different among 3 of 4 market segments.
• Current Driver respondents second and third most trusted information sources were YouTube
reviews and social media sources, respectfully.
• Ready to Adopt respondents’ third most trusted information source is YouTube reviews.
• Open to Adopt respondents’ third most trusted information source is auto magazines.
• Respondents in the Neutral and On Hold’s third most trusted information source is their
regular mechanic.
Equity Considerations
Respondents who identified as a race or ethnicity other than White comprised 24% of survey
respondents. This section describes survey response findings across minority racial and ethnic
groups, highlighting similarities This section presents results for the following groups: Asian, Black,
Hispanic/Latino, and Native American/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.6
6
Cascadia recognizes Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders are distinct racial and ethnic
groups, but grouped them in this survey report to increase the sample size of that group.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 48
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Findings by Race/Ethnicity
Barriers were the same for all respondents and for each market segment. However, messaging that
resonates with each racial/ethnic group is more diverse. There were no messages that were in the top
three for every race/ethnicity, in terms of making respondents more likely to consider getting an EV
for their household. The table below shows which messages were the three that resonated most with
each group. Yellow shading identifies the top resonant message, gray shading identifies the 2nd most
resonant message, and green shading the 3rd most resonant message in each demographic group.
Resonant messages by Race/Ethnicity
Message Asian Black Hispanic/Latino Native American, Alaska
n=173 n=182 n=258 Native, Native Hawaiian or
Pacific Islander n=125
Cheaper Operations 49% 42% 48%
More EV models 47% 43% 42%
Air quality 44% 45%
Charging infrastructure 42% 36%
Upfront affordability 41%
Home Charging 40%
Information sources:
Respondents from all non-White identifying races and ethnicities listed the same three trusted
sources of information in the same order:
• Friends or family
• Online car shopping sites
• YouTube reviews
More details about each demographic group are at the end of this document.
Barriers and Messaging by Age and Region
Findings by Age
The barriers each age group reported were the same, and in the same order, as across all market
segments and across all racial and ethnic groups.
Messages that resonated across age groups were more similar than racial/ethnic groups but more
diverse than the market segments. The table below shows which messages respondents reported
would make them likely to purchase an EV, by percentage. Yellow shading identifies the top resonant
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 49
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
message, gray shading identifies the 2nd most resonant message, and green shading the 3rd most
resonant message in each age group.
Resonant messages by age group
Message 15-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80+
n=338 n=554 n=603 n=1032 n=499 n=1269 n=875
Cheaper Operations 41% 50% 47% 38% 41% 38% 44%
More EV models 47% 39% 42% 38% 41%
Air quality 39% 46% 45% 38% 42%
Improved range 34%
Charging infrastructure
Upfront affordability 49% 47% 39% 38%
Home Charging
More details about messaging and barriers by age group are at the end of this document.
Findings by Region:
BARRIERS:
This regional breakdown is the first in which there are differences in reported barriers across groups.
The three barriers remain the same—cost, range/charging, and concerns about outdated EV
technology. However, in a couple of regions the order is different: Central and Southwest WA both
reported range and charging concerns as their top barrier, with cost second. The shading in table
below shows the order of the barriers reported by regions. Yellow identifies the top barrier, grey the
second barrier, and green the third barrier.
Barriers by Region
Barrier % % % % % % % %
King S. Sound SW WA OP NWWA CTRL SE WA NE WA
Cost 47% 49% 51% 60% 52% 55% 56% 60%
Concerns
about range
41% 38% 54%* 43% 43% 59% 50% 55%
and charging
infrastructure
Concerns
about
33% 32% 37% 43% 32% 38% 38% 33%
outdated EV
technology
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 50
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
MESSAGING:
The messages that respondents reported making them more likely to buy an EV also varied across
regions. Only one message resonated across 6 of 8 regions and two resonated across 5 of 8 regions.
Two additional messages resonated with only 3 and 2 regions, respectively, showing that this is a
market breakdown where targeted messaging could make a difference.
The table below shows which messages respondents from each region reported would make them
likely to purchase an EV, by percentage. Yellow shading identifies the top resonant message, gray
shading identifies the 2nd most resonant message, and green shading the 3rd most resonant message
in each region.
Messages by Region
Message % % % % % % % %
King S. Sound SW WA OP NW WA CTRL SE WA NE WA
Cheaper 51% 43% 43% 43% 39% 34%
Operations
More EV models 43% 43% 41% 38% 50%
Air quality 49% 41% 38%
Improved range 38% 40%
Charging 47% 52%
infrastructure
Upfront 42% 41% 41% 49% 33%
affordability
Home Charging 35%
Details by region are at the end of this document.
Conclusions
Survey limitations
There is the possibility of sampling bias and non-response bias in any market research survey, and this
one is no exception. This can cause results to favor characteristics or demographics based on interest
in the survey content, though the project team employed a market research firm to administer the
survey to reduce sampling bias, by setting statistically representative quotas by age, gender, and
region.
One such sampling bias revealed itself in the analysis of market segments. When the survey results
were analyzed, the percentage of EV drivers among survey respondents was nearly 20%, while the real
percentage of EV drivers in Washington is closer to 2%, based on vehicle registration data. The project
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 51
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
team is aware that this number of EV drivers is much higher than in the general population and
examined descriptive statistics from a sample weighted at 2%, to see if there were critical differences
in the results. The project team found no significant differences between the weighted data set and
the unweighted dataset, so proceeded with the original dataset, understanding that Current EV
drivers are oversampled.
Possible further analysis
Data from this survey could be compared to Washington State Census data to better understand the
impact of sampling and non-response bias on the results. Additionally, further analysis could be
conducted on subgroups of this dataset, including on respondents by income, housing type, parking
type, or miles traveled.
Next steps
The results of these analyses will be used to inform the Transportation Electrification Strategy
together with the results of the 1:1 interviews and focus groups that comprise the rest of the
engagement for the Transportation Electrification Strategy.
Market Segment Details
Readiness to Adopt Fact Sheets
Market segment 1: Current EV Drivers (N=568)
Current EV drivers are characterized as respondents who responded that they currently own or lease
an EV. There are 568 respondents or 19% of the total 3,026 survey respondents who are classified as
current EV drivers. The actual number of EV drivers in Washington is closer to 2%, which means that
this survey inadvertently oversampled current EV drivers.
They can be characterized as:
• Under 40
• From King County, Southeast or Northwest Western Washington
• Owners of single-family homes with personally owned garages
• Having a yearly household income over 100,000
Their top three barriers to EV adoption are:
• Cost
• Worry about an EV becoming outdated
• Range/charging concerns
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 52
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Their top three educational needs are around:
• The longevity and sustainability of EV batteries
• EV functionality in the mountains or rural areas
• EV functionality during power outages and emergencies
The top three messages most likely to encourage them to buy an EV are:
• More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto the market, with pick-ups,
SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and other options now available.
• Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less maintenance than gas-
powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can save you thousands of dollars in operating
costs.
• There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range. Federal tax credits of up
to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs means you could pay the same or even less for an EV
than a comparable gas-powered car.
Their top trusted information sources are:
• Family and friends
• YouTube reviews
• Social media
More details are in the tables and figures below.
Demographic Characteristics of Current EV Drivers
Characteristics of Ready to Adopt: Majority Category Percentage (n=568)
Age Under 40 65%
Gender Male 54%
Region (Top 3 selected) King County 25%
Southeast WA 18%
Northwest Western WA 14%
Housing type Single Family Housing 68%
Own/Rent Homeowners 79%
Parking Personally owned garage 67%
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 53
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Percentage of responders who are Current EV Drivers by age group (n=568)
Current EV Drivers by age
n=568
120%
96% 100%
100% 88%
81%
80% 65%
60%
30% 30% 35%
40%
17%
20% 7% 8% 4% 0%
0%
15-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80 or older
Percentage of respondents Cumulative percentage
Percentage of respondents who are Current EV Drivers by income (n=568)
Current EV Drivers by income
n=568
120%
97% 100%
100%
79%
80%
66%
60%
43%
40% 30%
23%
18% 18%
20% 10% 12% 13% 13%
8% 8%
3%
0%
,0 49 74 99 9 0 0, SA
00 ,9 ,9 ,9 $1 $2 00 Y
<$ 99 99 99 49 00 0 TO
25 0- 0- 0- ,9 9 ,0 0 >$
$ $ $ 20 NO
$2 $5 $7 ,0 00 ,0 00 T
5,00 0,00 5,00 - - PR
$100 $150 EF
ER
Percentage of respondents Cumulative percentage
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 54
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Current EV Drivers’ Top 3 Barriers to EV Adoption
Barrier Percent of Ready to Adopt responding
7 or 6 (very likely or likely) n=568
The upfront cost of buying an electric vehicle is too high. 49%
Electric vehicle technology is changing fast, and I don’t 48%
want to buy a car that will be outdated.
EVs don’t have enough range and there aren’t enough 45%
charging stations to get to where I need to go.
3 Messages most likely to encourage Current EV Drivers to buy an EV
Message Percent responding 7 or 6
(very likely or likely) n=568
There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range. 62%
Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs
means you could pay the same or even less for an EV than a
comparable gas-powered car.
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less 62%
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV
can save you thousands of dollars in operating costs.
More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto 60%
the market, with pick-ups, SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and
other options now available.
3 Messages least likely to encourage Current EV Drivers to buy an EV
Message Percent responding 1 or 2 (very
unlikely or unlikely) n=568
EV batteries wear out quickly, can’t be recycled, and use rare earth 24%
minerals that are mined in harmful ways.
EVs don’t work well in cold weather, rural areas, or the mountains. 22%
EVs may not work during power outages or if people need to 21%
evacuate for wildfires, floods, or earthquakes.
Top 3 Trusted Information Sources for Current EV Drivers
Source Percent responding (n=568)
Friends or family 59%
YouTube reviews 40%
Social media such as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter 39%
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 55
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Market segment 2: Ready to Adopt (n=330)
Ready to Adopt are characterized as respondents who responded that they plan to purchase a new
vehicle within 5 years and responded that they are very likely to purchase an EV. There are 330
respondents or 11% of the total 3,026 survey respondents who are classified as Ready to Adopt.
They can be characterized as:
• Under 50
• From Puget Sound or Northwest WA
• Owners of single-family homes with personally owned parking
• Having a yearly household income under $100,000
Their top three barriers to EV adoption are:
• Cost
• Range and charging infrastructure concerns
• Worry about an EV becoming outdated
Their top three educational needs are around:
• The longevity and sustainability of EV batteries
• The effect of EVs on the grid, electricity prices, and power outages
• EV functionality during power outages and emergencies
The top three messages most likely to encourage them to buy an EV are:
• More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto the market, with pick-ups,
SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and other options now available.
• Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less maintenance than gas-
powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can save thousands of dollars in operating costs.
• There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range. Federal tax credits of up
to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs means you could pay the same or even less for an EV
than a comparable gas-powered car.
Their top trusted information sources are:
• Family and friends
• Online car shopping websites
• Social Media sites
More details are in the tables and figures below.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 56
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Demographic Characteristics of Ready to Adopt
Characteristics of Ready to Adopt: Majority Category Percentage (n=330)
Age Under 49 59%
Gender Female 53%
Region (Top 3 selected) King County 34%*
South Sound 17%
Northwest Western WA 15%
Housing type Single Family Housing 72%
Own/Rent Homeowners 65%
Parking Personally owned garage 55%
* denotes statistical significance
Percentage of responders who are Ready to Adopt by age group (n=330)
Early adopters by age
n=330
100% 100%
92%
100.0%
76%
80.0%
58%
60.0%
34%
40.0% 25%
18% 18% 15% 18% 16%
20.0% 7%
0%
0.0%
15-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80+
Percentage of Respondents Cumulative Percentage
Percentage of respondents who are Ready to Adopt by income (n=330)
Early Adopters by Income
n=330
94%
100.0% 88%
77%
80.0% 63%
60.0% 46%
40.0% 24% 22%
15% 16% 15% 11%
20.0% 9% 9% 7%
0.0%
<$ $2 $5 $7 $1 $1 >$
25 5, 0, 5, 00 50 20
,000 00 00 00 ,0 ,0 0,00
0-$4 0-$7 0-$9 00 00 0
9, 4, 9, -$14 -$20
00 99 99 9, 0,
0 9 9 99 00
9 0
Percentage of Respondents Cumulative Percentage
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 57
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Ready to Adopt’ Top 3 Barriers to EV Adoption
Barrier Percent of Ready to Adopt responding
7 or 6 (very likely or likely) n=330
The upfront cost of buying an electric vehicle is too high. 38%
EVs don’t have enough range and there aren’t enough 29%
charging stations to get to where I need to go.
Electric vehicle technology is changing fast, and I don’t want 26%
to buy a car that will be outdated.
3 Messages most likely to encourage Ready to Adopt respondents to buy an EV
Message Percent responding 7 or 6 (very
likely or likely) n=330
More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto 74%
the market, with pick-ups, SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and
other options now available.
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less 72%
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV
can save you thousands of dollars in operating costs.
There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range. 71%
Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs
means you could pay the same or even less for an EV than a
comparable gas-powered car.
3 Messages least likely to encourage Ready to Adopt respondents to buy an EV
Message Percent responding 1 or 2 (very
unlikely or unlikely) n=330
EV batteries wear out quickly, can’t be recycled, and use rare earth 37%
minerals that are mined in harmful ways.
If everyone gets an EV, they will stress our electric grid, drive up 35%
electricity prices, and cause more power outages.
EVs may not work during power outages or if people need to 32%
evacuate for wildfires, floods, or earthquakes. (32%)
Top 3 Trusted Information Sources for Ready to Adopt:
Source Percent responding (n=330)
Friends or family 70%
Online car sites 55%
YouTube Reviews 28%
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 58
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Market segment 3: Open to Adopt (n=483)
Open to Adopt respondents will purchase a new vehicle within 5 years and are likely or somewhat
likely to purchase an EV. There are 483 respondents who fall into the Open to Adopt category, or 16%
of the total 3026 survey respondents. Open to Adopt respondents can be characterized as:
• Under 50
• From Puget Sound or Northwest WA
• Owners of single-family homes with personally-owned parking
• Most have a yearly household income under $100,00
Their top three barriers to EV adoption are:
• Cost
• Range and charging infrastructure concerns
• Worry about an EV becoming outdated
Their top three educational needs are around:
• The longevity and sustainability of EV batteries
• EV functionality during power outages and emergencies
• EV functionality in the mountains or rural areas
The top three messages most likely to encourage them to buy an EV are:
• Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less maintenance than gas-
powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can save you thousands of dollars in operating
costs.
• Washington is installing thousands of fast chargers a year, so a strong charging network will
soon be in place across the state.
• There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range. Federal tax credits of up
to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs means you could pay the same or even less for an EV
than a comparable gas-powered car.
Their top trusted information sources are:
• Family and friends
• Online car shopping websites
More details are in the figures and tables below.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 59
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Characteristics of Open to Adopt respondents
Characteristics of Open to Majority Category Percentage of Open to Adopt
Adopt Respondents: responding (% ) n=483
Gender Female 51%
Region (Top 3 selected) King County 29%*
South Sound 18%
Northwest Western WA 16%
Housing Type Single Family House 72%
Rent/Own Homeowners 60%
Parking Personally owned driveway 53%
Personally owned garage 53%
*denotes statistical significance
Percentage of respondents who are in the Open to Adopt by age group (n=483)
Early Majority by Age
n=483
200
Percentage
76 91 99 100
100 61
22 22 19 40 21 15 15 8 1
0
15 to 29 30 to 39 40 to 49 50 to 59 60 to 69 70 to 79 80 or older
Percentage Cumulative percentage
Percentage of respondents in the Open to Adopt by income (n=483)
Early Majority by Income
100% n=483 92%
87%
90%
Percentage of respondents
79%
80%
70% 62%
60% 47%
50%
40% 28%
30% 18% 19% 17%
14%
20% 10%10% 7% 6% 7%
10%
0%
25 $2 $5 $7 20
$100 Y
,0 0, SA
00 5,00 0,00 5,00
,000-$ 00 TO
<$ 0- 0- 0-
149,99 0
$4 $7 $9 9 >$ NO
T
9,99 4,99 9,99
$150,000
9 9 9 -$20 EF ER
0,000 PR
Percentage of respondents Cumulative Percentage of respondents
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 60
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Top 3 barriers to EV Adoption for Open to Adopt respondents
Barrier Percent responding 7 or 6 (very
likely or likely) n=483
The upfront cost of buying an electric vehicle is too high. 47%
EVs don’t have enough range and there aren’t enough charging 38%
stations to get to where I need to go.
Electric vehicle technology is changing fast, and I don’t want to buy 30%
a car that will be outdated.
3 messages most likely to encourage Open to Adopt respondents to buy an EV
Message Percent responding 7 or 6 (very
likely or likely) n= 483
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less 49%
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV
can save you thousands of dollars in operating costs.
Washington is installing thousands of fast chargers a year, so a 49%
strong charging network will soon be in place across the state.
There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range. 47%
Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs
means you could pay even less for an EV than a comparable gas-
powered car.
3 Messages least likely to encourage Open to Adopt respondents to buy an EV
Message Percent responding 1 or 2 (very
unlikely or unlikely) n=483
EV batteries wear out quickly, can’t be recycled, and use rare earth 40%
minerals that are mined in harmful ways.
EVs may not work during power outages or if people need to 36%
evacuate for wildfires, floods, or earthquakes.
EVs don’t work well in cold weather, rural areas, or the mountains. 34%
Top 3 Trusted Information Sources for Open to Adopt respondents
Source Percent responding (n=483)
Friends or family 71%
Online car sites 52%
Auto Magazines 30%
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 61
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Market segment 4: Second Wave (n=296)
Second Wave respondents plan to purchase a new vehicle within 5 years and are neutral, somewhat
unlikely, or unlikely to purchase an EV. There are 296 respondents who fall into the neutral Open to
Adopt category, or 10% of the total 3,026 survey respondents. Second Wave respondents can be
characterized as:
• Under 50, with over 20% under 30
• From Northwest WA, South Sound or King County
• Owners of single-family homes with personally-owned parking
• Most have a yearly household income under $75,000
Their top four* barriers to EV adoption are:
• Cost
• Range and charging infrastructure concerns
• Worry about an EV becoming outdated
*Their 3rd ranking barrier was a tie, with the tying barrier being types of Evs available
Their top four* educational needs are around:
• The longevity and sustainability of EV batteries
• EV functionality during power outages and emergencies
• EV functionality in the mountains or rural areas
*Their 3rd educational need was a tie, with *The effect of Evs on the electric grid, electricity prices, and
power outages
The top three messages most likely to encourage them to buy an EV are:
• Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and Evs require much less maintenance than gas-
powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can save you thousands of dollars in operating
costs.
• There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range. Federal tax credits of up
to $7,500 and no state sales tax for Evs means you could pay the same or even less for an EV
than a comparable gas-powered car.
• More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto the market, with pick-ups,
SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and other options now available.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 62
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Their top trusted information sources are:
• Family and friends
• Online car shopping websites
More details are in the tables and figures below.
Characteristics of Second Wave respondents
Characteristics of Second Majority Category Percentage of Second Wave
Wave respondents: responding (%) n=296
Gender Female 51%
Region (Top 3 selected) Northeast WA 29%
South Sound 25%
King County 18%
Housing Type Single Family Housing 77%.
Rent/Own Homeowners 61
Parking Personally-owned driveway 61%
Percentage of respondents who are in the Second Wave by age group (n=296)
Neutral Majority by Age
n=296
150.0%
90% 99% 100%
100.0% 74%
55%
50.0% 38%
21%21% 17% 17% 19% 16% 9% 1%
0.0%
15-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80 or older
Percentage of Respondents Cumulative Percentage of Respondents
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 63
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Percentage of respondents in the Second Wave by income (n=296)
Neutral Majority by Income
n=296
91% 94%
100.0% 82%
80.0% 68%
52%
60.0%
34%
40.0% 20%
14%14% 18% 17% 14%
20.0% 8% 3%
0.0%
0 49 74 99 9 0 ,0
25 ,9 ,9 ,9 $1 $2 00
,0 0 99 99 99 49 00 20
<$ 0- 0- 0- ,9 9 ,0 0 0
$ $ $ >$
$2 $5 $7 ,0 00 ,0 00
5,00 0,00 5,00 - -
$100 $150
Percentage of Respondents Cumulative Percentage of Respondents
Top 3 Barriers to EV Adoption for Second Wave respondents
Barrier Percent responding 7 or 6
(very likely or likely) n=296
The upfront cost of buying an electric vehicle is too high. 53%
Evs don’t have enough range and there aren’t enough charging stations 50%
to get to where I need to go.
Electric vehicle technology is changing fast, and I don’t want to buy a 27%
car that will be outdated.
The types of Evs available are not the kind I want. 27%
3 Messages most likely to encourage Second Wave respondents to buy an EV
Message Percent responding 7 or 6
(very likely or likely) n= 296
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less 59%
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can
save you thousands of dollars in operating costs.
There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range. 59%
Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs means
you could pay even less for an EV than a comparable gas-powered car.
More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto the 57%
market, with pick-ups, SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and other
options now available.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 64
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Messages least likely to encourage Second Wave respondents to buy an EV
Message Percent responding 1 or 2 (very
unlikely or unlikely) n=296
EV batteries wear out quickly, can’t be recycled, and use rare earth 55%
minerals that are mined in harmful ways.
EVs may not work during power outages or if people need to 52%
evacuate for wildfires, floods, or earthquakes.
EVs don’t work well in cold weather, rural areas, or the mountains. 44%
If everyone gets an EV, they will stress our electric grid, drive up 44%
electricity prices, and cause more power outages.
Top 3 Trusted Information Sources for Second Wave respondents
Source Percent responding (n=296)
Friends or family 74%
Online car sites 51%
My regular mechanic 35%
Market segment 5: On hold (n=614)
On Hold respondents are characterized as respondents who responded that they are going to replace
their vehicle in 5-10+ years. There are 614 respondents or 20% of the total 3,026 survey respondents
who are classified as the On Hold.
They can be characterized as:
• Under 50
• From King County, Northwest Western or Northeast Washington
• Owners of single-family homes with personally owned parking
• Having a yearly household income under $100,000
Their top three barriers to EV adoption are:
• Cost
• Range and charging infrastructure concerns
• Worry about an EV becoming outdated
Their top three educational needs are around:
• The longevity and sustainability of EV batteries
• EV functionality during power outages and emergencies
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 65
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
• EV functionality in the mountains or rural areas
The top three messages most likely to encourage them to buy an EV are:
• Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less maintenance than gas-
powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can save you thousands of dollars in operating
costs.
• EVs are one of the most important ways for us to improve air quality. Better air quality
prevents asthma, heart, and lung diseases that cause early death.
• There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range. Federal tax credits of up
to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs means you could pay the same or even less for an EV
than a comparable gas-powered car.
Their top trusted information sources are:
• Online car shopping sites
• Friends and family
• Their mechanics
More details are in the table and charts below.
Characteristics of the On Hold
Characteristics of On Hold Majority Category Percentage of On Hold
Respondents: responding (%) n=614
Gender Female 58%
Age Under 50 54%
Region (Top 3 selected) King County 21%
Northwest Western WA 18%
Northeast WA 17%
Housing type Single Family House 79%
Rent/lease Homeowners 73%
Parking Personally owned driveway 56%
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 66
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Percentage of respondents who are in the On Hold segment by age group (n=614)
Late Majority by age
n=614
120%
100%
100% 91%
80% 74%
60% 53%
36%
40%
19%19% 17% 18% 20% 17%
20% 9%
0%
0%
15-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80 or older
Percentage of respondents Cumulative percentage
Percentage of respondents On Hold by income category (n=614)
Late Adopters by income
n=614
120%
100%
100% 84% 90%
75%
80%
58%
60% 46%
40% 23% 23%
15% 12% 16%
20% 7% 7% 10% 6% 10%
0%
,0 49 74 99 9 0 0, SA
00 ,9 ,9 ,9 $1 $2 00 Y
<$ 99 99 99 49 00 0 TO
25 0- 0- 0- ,9 9 ,0 0 >$
$ $ $ 20 NO
$2 $5 $7 ,0 00 ,0 00 T
5,00 0,00 5,00 - - PR
$100 $150 EF
ER
Percentage of respondents Cumulative percentage
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 67
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Top 3 Barriers to EV Adoption for On Hold respondents
Barrier Percent responding 7 or 6 (very
likely or likely) n=614
The upfront cost of buying an electric vehicle is too high. 54%
EVs don’t have enough range and there aren’t enough charging 51%
stations to get to where I need to go.
Electric vehicle technology is changing fast, and I don’t want to buy 35%
a car that will be outdated.
Top 3 Messages most likely to encourage On Hold respondents to buy an EV
Message Percent responding 7 or 6 (very
likely or likely) n= 614
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less 38%
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV
can save you thousands of dollars in operating costs.
EVs are one of the most important ways for us to improve air quality. 36%
Better air quality prevents asthma, heart, and lung diseases that
cause early death.
There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range. 35%
Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs
means you could pay the same or even less for an EV than a
comparable gas-powered car.
Messages least likely to encourage On Hold respondents to buy an EV
Message Percent responding 1 or 2 (very
unlikely or unlikely) n=614
EV batteries wear out quickly, can’t be recycled, and use rare earth 53%
minerals that are mined in harmful ways.
EVs may not work during power outages or if people need to 51%
evacuate for wildfires, floods, or earthquakes.
EVs don’t work well in cold weather, rural areas, or the mountains. 49%
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 68
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Top 3 trusted sources of information for On Hold respondents
Source of Information Percentage responding (%) n=614
Online car shopping sites 77%
Friends and family 73%
My regular mechanic 29%
Race/Ethnicity
Washington’s population, and the majority of survey respondents across market segments are White,
which can obscure differences in opinions among respondents of non-white racial and ethnic groups.
Therefore, we analyzed barriers, most resonant messages, and most trusted information channels by
racial and ethnic group to identify differences between these groups and the market segments
divided by readiness to adopt EVs.
Analysis showed that while barriers were the same as the readiness to adopt market segments, there
were differences in messages that made respondents more likely to buy an EV and trusted information
channels.
Asian Respondents (n=173)
Top 3 Barriers to EV Adoption for Asian respondents
Barrier Percent Asians responding 7 or
6 (very likely or likely) n7=173
The upfront cost of buying an electric vehicle is too high. 49%
EVs don’t have enough range and there aren’t enough charging 36%
stations to get to where I need to go.
Electric vehicle technology is changing fast, and I don’t want to buy 27%
a car that will be outdated.
Top 3 messages most likely to encourage Asian respondents to buy an EV
Message Percent Asians responding 7 or
6 (very likely or likely) n= 173
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less 49%
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV
can save you thousands of dollars in operating costs.
Washington is installing thousands of fast chargers a year, so a 42%
strong charging network will soon be in place across the state.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 69
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Message Percent Asians responding 7 or
6 (very likely or likely) n= 173
There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price 41%
range. Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 and no state sales tax for
EVs means you could pay the same or even less for an EV than a
comparable gas-powered car.
Top 3 most trusted information sources for Asian respondents
Information Source Percent Asians responding
n= 173
Friends or Family 72%
Online car shopping sites, like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, 46%
Autotrader, True Car or CarMax
YouTube Reviews 43%*
*Denotes statistical significance
Black Respondents (n=182)
Top 3 Barriers to EV Adoption for Black respondents
Barrier Percent Black respondents answering
7 or 6 (very likely or likely) n=182
The upfront cost of buying an electric vehicle is too high. 46%
EVs don’t have enough range and there aren’t enough 34%
charging stations to get to where I need to go.
Electric vehicle technology is changing fast, and I don’t 34%
want to buy a car that will be outdated.
Top 3 messages most likely to encourage Black respondents to buy an EV
Message Percent Black respondents answering
7 or 6 (very likely or likely) n= 182
More models of electric vehicles than ever before are 47%
coming onto the market, with pick-ups, SUVs, crossovers,
all-wheel drive, and other options now available.
EVs are one of the most important ways for us to improve air 44%
quality. Better air quality prevents asthma, heart, and lung
diseases that cause early death.
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much 42%
less maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This
means an EV can save you thousands of dollars in operating
costs.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 70
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Top 3 most trusted information sources for Asian respondents
Information Source Percent Black respondents answering
n= 182
Friends or Family 70%
Online car shopping sites, like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, 43%
Autotrader, True Car or CarMax
YouTube Reviews 32%*
*Denotes statistical significance
Hispanic/Latino Respondents (n=258)
Top 3 Barriers to EV Adoption for Latino respondents
Barrier Percent Latinos responding 7 or
6 (very likely or likely) n=258
The upfront cost of buying an electric vehicle is too high. 53%
EVs don’t have enough range and there aren’t enough charging 46%
stations to get to where I need to go.
Electric vehicle technology is changing fast, and I don’t want to buy 35%
a car that will be outdated.
Top 3 messages most likely to encourage Latino respondents to buy an EV
Message Percent Latinos responding 7 or
6 (very likely or likely) n= 258
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less 48%
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV
can save you thousands of dollars in operating costs.
EVs are one of the most important ways for us to improve air 45%
quality. Better air quality prevents asthma, heart, and lung
diseases that cause early death.
More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto 43%
the market, with pick-ups, SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and
other options now available.
Top 3 most trusted information sources for Latino respondents
Information Source Percent Latinos responding
n= 258
Friends or Family 68%
Online car shopping sites, like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, 39%
Autotrader, True Car or CarMax
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 71
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Information Source Percent Latinos responding
n= 258
YouTube Reviews 39%*
*Denotes statistical significance
Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders (n=125)
Top 3 Barriers to EV Adoption for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders
Barrier Percent Native American/Alaska
Native/Native Hawaiians responding
7 or 6 (very likely or likely) n=125
The upfront cost of buying an electric vehicle is too high. 46%
EVs don’t have enough range and there aren’t enough 38%
charging stations to get to where I need to go.
Electric vehicle technology is changing fast, and I don’t want 34%
to buy a car that will be outdated.
Top 3 messages most likely to encourage Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
respondents to buy an EV
Message Percent Native American/Alaska
Native/Native Hawaiians responding
7 or 6 (very likely or likely) n= 125
More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming 42%
onto the market, with pick-ups, SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel
drive, and other options now available.
80% of charging happens at home and many EVs now come 40%
with a portable charger.
Washington is installing thousands of fast chargers a year, so 36%
a strong charging network will soon be in place across the
state.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 72
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Top 3 most trusted information sources for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
respondents
Information Source Percent Native American/Alaska
Native/Native Hawaiians responding
n= 125
Friends or Family 69%
Online car shopping sites, like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, 42%
Autotrader, True Car or CarMax
YouTube Reviews 33%*
*Denotes statistical significance
Age Groups
Barriers by Age Group
Top 3 barriers across age groups
Barrier % % % % % % %
15-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80+
The upfront cost of 42% 53% 52% 53% 60% 61% 41%
buying an EV is too
high.
EVs don’t have enough 31% 42% 47% 49% 52% 61% 31%
range and there aren’t
enough charging
stations to get to
where I need to go.
EV technology is 30% 30% 36% 32% 37% 38% 24%
changing fast, and I
don’t want to buy a car
that will be outdated.
Top 3 Messages by Age Group
Top 3 messages by 15–29-year-olds (n=338)
Message % of 15–29-year-olds
responding 7 or 6 (n=338)
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less 41%
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can
save you thousands of dollars in operating costs.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 73
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Message % of 15–29-year-olds
responding 7 or 6 (n=338)
EVs are one of the most important ways for us to improve air quality. 39%
Better air quality prevents asthma, heart, and lung diseases that cause
early death.
When EVs first came out, they had less than 100 miles of battery range. 34%
Now, most have more than 200 (many over 300) miles of range.
Top 3 messages by 30–39-year-olds (n=554)
Message % of 30–39-year-olds
responding 7 or 6 (n=554)
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less 50%*
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can
save you thousands of dollars in operating costs.
There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range. 49%*
Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs means
you could pay the same or even less for an EV than a comparable gas-
powered car.
More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto the 47%
market, with pick-ups, SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and other
options now available.
*denotes statistical significance
Top 3 messages by 40–49-year-olds (n=603)
Message % of 40–49-year-olds
responding 7 or 6 (n=603)
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less 47%
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can
save you thousands of dollars in operating costs.
There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range. 47%*
Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs means
you could pay the same or even less for an EV than a comparable gas-
powered car.
EVs are one of the most important ways for us to improve air quality. 46%
Better air quality prevents asthma, heart, and lung diseases that cause
early death.
*denotes statistical significance
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 74
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Top 3 messages by 50–59-year-olds (n=1032)
Message % of 50–59-year-olds
responding 7 or 6 (n=1032)
More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto the 39 %
market, with pick-ups, SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and other
options now available.
There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range. 39%
Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs means
you could pay the same or even less for an EV than a comparable gas-
powered car.
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less 38%
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can
save you thousands of dollars in operating costs.
Top 3 messages by 60–69-year-olds (n=499)
Message % of 60–69-year-olds
responding 7 or 6 (n=499)
EVs are one of the most important ways for us to improve air quality. 45%
Better air quality prevents asthma, heart, and lung diseases that cause
early death.
More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto the 42%*
market, with pick-ups, SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and other
options now available.
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less 41%
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can
save you thousands of dollars in operating costs.
*denotes statistical significance
Top 3 messages by 70–79-year-olds (n=1269)
Message % of 70–79-year-olds
responding 7 or 6 (n=1269)
There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range. 38%
Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs means
you could pay the same or even less for an EV than a comparable gas-
powered car.
More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto the 38%
market, with pick-ups, SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and other
options now available.
EVs are one of the most important ways for us to improve air quality. 38%
Better air quality prevents asthma, heart, and lung diseases that cause
early death.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 75
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Message % of 70–79-year-olds
responding 7 or 6 (n=1269)
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less 38%
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can
save you thousands of dollars in operating costs.
Top 3 messages by 80+-year-olds (n=875)
Message % of 80–89-year-olds
responding 7 or 6 (n=875)
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less 44%
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can
save you thousands of dollars in operating costs.
EVs are one of the most important ways for us to improve air quality. 42%
Better air quality prevents asthma, heart, and lung diseases that cause
early death.
More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto the 41%
market, with pick-ups, SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and other
options now available.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 76
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Details by Region
Top 3 barriers by Region
Barriers by Region
Barrier % % % % % % % %
King S. Sound SW WA OP NWWA CTRL SE WA NE WA
The upfront cost of 47% 49% 51% 60% 52% 55% 56% 60%
buying an electric
vehicle is too high.
EVs don’t have 41% 38% 54%* 43% 43% 59% 50% 55%
enough range and
there aren’t enough
charging stations to
get to where I need
to go.
Electric vehicle 33% 32% 37% 43% 32% 38% 38% 33%
technology is
changing fast, and I
don’t want to buy a
car that will be
outdated.
*denotes statistical significance
Top 3 messages by Region
Top 3 messages by King County
Message % of King County residents
responding 7 or 6
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less 51%*
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can
save you thousands of dollars in operating costs.
EVs are one of the most important ways for us to improve air quality. 49*
Better air quality prevents asthma, heart, and lung diseases that cause
early death.
Washington is installing thousands of fast chargers a year, so a strong 47%*
charging network will soon be in place across the state.
*denotes statistical significance
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 77
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Top 3 messages by South Sound
Message % of South Sound residents
responding 7 or 6
There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range. 42%
Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs means
you could pay the same or even less for an EV than a comparable gas-
powered car.
EVs are one of the most important ways for us to improve air quality. 41%
Better air quality prevents asthma, heart, and lung diseases that cause
early death.
When EVs first came out, they had less than 100 miles of battery range. 38%
Now, most have more than 200 and many have over 300 miles of range.
Top 3 messages by Southwest WA (SW WA)
Message % of SW WA residents
responding 7 or 6
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less 43%
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can
save you thousands of dollars in operating costs.
More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto the 43%
market, with pick-ups, SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and other
options now available.
There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range. 41%
Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs means
you could pay the same or even less for an EV than a comparable gas-
powered car.
Messages by the Olympic Peninsula (OP)
Message % of OP residents
responding 7 or 6
More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto the 43%*
market, with pick-ups, SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and other
options now available.
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less 43%
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can
save you thousands of dollars in operating costs.
When EVs first came out, they had less than 100 miles of battery range. 40%
Now, most have more than 200 and many have over 300 miles of range.
*denotes statistical significance
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 78
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Top 3 messages by Northwest WA (NW WA)
Message % of NW WA residents
responding 7 or 6
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less 43%
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can
save you thousands of dollars in operating costs.
There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range. 41%
Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs means
you could pay the same or even less for an EV than a comparable gas-
powered car.
More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto the 41%*
market, with pick-ups, SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and other
options now available.
*denotes statistical significance
Top 3 messages by Central WA
Message % of Central WA residents
responding 7 or 6
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less 39%
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can
save you thousands of dollars in operating costs.
EVs are one of the most important ways for us to improve air quality. 38%
Better air quality prevents asthma, heart, and lung diseases that cause
early death.
More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto the 38%
market, with pick-ups, SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and other
options now available.
Top 3 messages by Southeast WA (SE WA)
Message % of SE WA residents
responding 7 or 6
Washington is installing thousands of fast chargers a year, so a strong 52%*
charging network will soon be in place across the state.
More models of electric vehicles than ever before are coming onto the 50%
market, with pick-ups, SUVs, crossovers, all-wheel drive, and other
options now available.
There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range. 49%*
Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs means
you could pay the same or even less for an EV than a comparable gas-
powered car.
*denotes statistical significance
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 79
Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy EV Education Plan
Appendix A: Washington EV Survey Report
Top 3 messages by Northeast WA (NE WA)
Message % of NE WA residents
responding 7 or 6
80% of charging happens at home and many EVs now come with a 35%
portable charger.
Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs require much less 34%
maintenance than gas-powered cars and trucks. This means an EV can
save you thousands of dollars in operating costs.
There are now several EV models in the $25,000-$30,000 price range. 33%
Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 and no state sales tax for EVs means
you could pay the same or even less for an EV than a comparable gas-
powered car.
Prepared by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. | September 29, 2023 | 80
Annual Report
2023 EV Council membership
The EV Council has 10 member agencies, each of which has a primary representative and a backup. A list of
current primary and backup representatives appears below. We acknowledge the below individuals and all of
the other agency staff members who contributed to the creation of this report.
Department of Commerce (co-chair)
Deborah Reynolds
Andrew Rector
Department of Transportation (co-chair
Tonia Buell
Kara Symonds
Department of Agriculture
Tahis McQueen
Julia Terlinchamp
Department of Ecology
Joshua Grandbouche
Dustin Watson
Department of Enterprise Services
Ann Larson
Courtney Speer
Department of Health
Kaitlyn Kelly
Julie Fox
Office of Financial Management
Erik Hansen
Tiff West
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Patti Enbody
Chris Jose
State Energy and Environmental Performance Office
Hanna Waterstrat
Seth Kolodziejski
Utilities and Transportation Commission
Aaron Cahen
Andrew Sellards
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2
2.0
Contents
Executive summary...................................................................................................................................... 4
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 5
The EV Council: Structure and key events in FY23 ........................................................................................ 6
EV Council work plan ................................................................................................................................... 9
EV Council agency summaries ................................................................................................................... 13
2024 EV Council plans ............................................................................................................................... 20
Appendix A: EV Council Advisory Committee Members .............................................................................. 21
Appendix B: Clean Transportation Funding Summary ................................................................................. 22
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 3
Executive summary
FIGURE 1: KEY EV COUNCIL
Overview MEMBER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The purpose of this report is to inform the state Legislature of the FOR 2023
activities and accomplishments of the Interagency Electric Vehicle
Coordinating Council (EV Council) during the period July 1, 2022
through June 30, 2023. The report is required annually by RCW
43.392.040(2). This report is being submitted as an appendix to the
Transportation Electrification Strategy (TES) required by RCW
43.392.040(1)(a), and references the main TES document frequently. Number of Level 2
Highlights ports installed
This reporting period has been a formative one for the EV Council. It
saw the creation of the EV Council itself, along with an Executive
Committee, an Advisory Committee, and a pair of working groups to
help it achieve its goals. The Council also agreed to a decision-making
process, and hired a consulting team to draft the TES.
Number of Level 3
Having organized itself, the members of the EV Council then set about
fulfilling the vision laid out in the authorizing statute, RCW 43.392.040. ports installed
The TES and its related education and engagement plans will be sent
to the Legislature in January 2024. The EV Council identified $818
million in transportation electrification funding available in the 2023-
2025 biennium. The EV Council members, along with other state
agencies, began to coordinate the efforts funded by this $818 million
in venues such as the working groups and the Executive Committee.
Number of electric
Throughout these efforts, the EV Council strove to ensure that its buses funded
members' projects and programs "benefit vulnerable and
overburdened communities."1 In the TES, the EV Council adopts a
definition of overburdened communities that includes any area
measured at a 9 or 10 on the Environmental Health Disparities map; all
tribal communities; and Census tracts in the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's EJSCREEN tool that fall into the 80th percentile or
above for race and income.
Number of electric
state fleet vehicles
All the while, the EV Council's member agencies were busy
implementing existing programs and projects. Some key funded
accomplishments are highlighted in Figure 1. As we move into 2024,
the EV Council has four main objectives: implement the TES; gather
the data that will guide TES implementation; continue to identify and
coordinate funding; and implement the education and engagement
plans that accompany the TES.
Number of electric
fire trucks funded
1 RCW 43.392.040(1)(f).
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 4
Introduction
Background
The Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council (EV Council) was created by Section 428, Chapter 182,
Laws of 2022 (ESSB 5974). RCW 43.392.030 charges the departments of Commerce and Transportation
(WSDOT) with jointly leading the EV Council, and names eight additional agencies as EV Council members: the
departments of Ecology, Enterprise Services (DES), Agriculture and Health; the Office of Financial Management
(OFM); the State Efficiency and Environmental Performance Office (SEEP, a part of the Department of
Commerce); the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC); and the Office of the Superintendent of Public
Instruction (OSPI). The responsibilities of the EV Council include developing a statewide transportation
electrification strategy (TES); identifying and coordinating all EV infrastructure grant- and nongrant-related
funding; conducting robust public and private outreach through an outreach plan and an industry advisory
committee; and ensuring that all programs and activities benefit vulnerable and overburdened communities.
The next section of this report will provide additional context for the EV Council's activities, including its
organization and a few key actions taken to date. The following section will examine the accomplishments of
the EV Council's as a whole in addressing each of the requirements listed in RCW 43.392.040(1). Then, the
report will describe the programmatic activities and accomplishments for each of the EV Council's member
agencies. Finally, the report will conclude with a discussion of the EV Council's expected activities in 2024.
Legislative mandate
RCW 43.392.040(2) requires that the EV Council provide "an annual report to the appropriate committees of
the legislature summarizing electric vehicle implementation progress, gaps, and resource needs."
This report serves as the annual report for 2023. The report only covers implementation progress, but is being
submitted as an appendix to the TES, which covers gaps and resource needs.
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 5
The EV Council: Structure and key events in FY23
Structure
The EV Council held its first meeting on July 21, 2022. It met again on
Sept. 27, 2022, when the EV Council's structure and decision-making
processes took shape. The results of this meeting were: EV Council
The creation of an EV Council Executive Committee and two
Members
working groups Dept. of Commerce
Approval for Commerce and WSDOT, in their capacity as EV (Co-Chair)
Council co-chairs, to publish a request for Advisory Committee
members Dept. of Transportation
Approval for Commerce to hire consultants that would create (Co-Chair)
the TES
Adoption of an EV Council decision-making process Dept. of Agriculture
EV Council Executive Committee
Dept. of Ecology
The EV Council's Executive Committee was created to manage the EV
Council's governance and steer its administrative functions.2 The
Dept. of Enterprise
Executive Committee is made up of Commerce, WSDOT, Ecology, the
Services
UTC, and DES. It meets every Wednesday morning; those meetings are
often joined by representatives from the Governor's Office and the TES
Dept. of Health
contracting team. The duties of the Executive Committee include
providing direction to EV Council staff and consultants; tracking the
Office of Financial
progress of EV Council activities; making recommendations to the full
Management
EV Council; and coordinating with the Governor's Office, the Department
of Health, and the Environmental Justice Council (EJ Council).3
Office of the
Superintendent of Public
EV Council Advisory Committee
Instruction
During the second EV Council meeting, the EV Council members voted
to direct Commerce and WSDOT to publish a request for Advisory
State Efficiency and
Committee applications, and to request that the Executive Committee
Environmental
propose a roster of Advisory Committee members (RCW
Performance Office
43.392.040(1)(e)). The Advisory Committee comprises 25 individuals
from across Washington's EV landscape; the full list can be found in
Utilities and
Appendix A. The Advisory Committee is charged with providing
Transportation
feedback on draft documents and agency programs; gathering
Commission
information and developing recommendations for the TES; and
2 "Creation of EV Council committees and workgroups." September 27, 2022, memo to the EV Council (Sept. 27, 2022, EV Council
Committees & Workgroups Memo), at 1-2. Available from: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Agenda-item-
memo-Committees-and-workgroups-Webpage-version.pdf.
3 RCW 70A.02.110.
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 6
supporting communication and public outreach efforts, among other duties.4 It meets monthly on the third
Wednesday of each month.
Establishing EV Council working groups
In its September meeting, the EV Council voted to create and facilitate two issue-specific working groups to
carry out the identification and coordination functions detailed in RCW 43.392.040(1). The two working groups
are focused on EV charging infrastructure and EV adoption. They are made up of a variety of state agency
representatives. The two workgroups have met together on the fourth Wednesday of each month, but could
begin to meet separately in the future.5
Hiring of TES consultants
The EV Council voted to direct Commerce to hire and contract with a consultant to create the TES. Commerce
hired the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) as the prime contractor in early 2023, with several subcontractors
selected to complete various portions of the TES.
EV Council decision-making process
Finally, the EV Council adopted a decision-making process that governs how the EV Council will meet its
statutory responsibilities and comply with the Open Public Meetings Act. The process adopted by the EV
Council outlines how agencies should be represented on the EV Council, how the EV Council will take up
proposals for action and set agendas for its monthly meetings, and how votes on agenda topics will be
recorded.6 The decision-making process can evolve over time as necessary, with the approval of the EV
Council.
Timeline of EV Council actions
Figure 2 below details the major events and actions taken by the EV Council from July 2022 through December
2023.
4 Sept. 27, 2022, EV Council Committees & Workgroups Memo, at 3-4. The full list of Advisory Committee members is available from:
https://deptofcommerce.app.box.com/s/823h2j6tynfbsbp5fb88tftar40o959n.
5 Id., at 4-6.
6 See "EV Council decision-making process", September 27, 2022, memo to the EV Council. Available from
https://www.commerce.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Agenda-item-memo-Decision-making-process-Webpage-version.pdf.
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 7
Figure 2: Timeline of Major EV Council Actions
July 21 2022 Jan. 2023 Mar. 2023 Sep. 6, 2023 Nov. 2023 Dec. 31, 2023
First EV Council Beginning of monthly First working Council vote to TES finalized TES delivered to
meeting EV Council meetings; group meeting approve draft and delivered to Legislature
adoption of initial policies for public EV Council for
Advisory Committee comment final vote
roster; hiring of RMI
as TES consultant
Sept. 27, 2022 Feb. 2023 May-Aug. 2023 Oct. 2, 2023 Nov. 30, 2023
EV Council meeting: creation of First Advisory Equity and policy task Draft TES released EV Council vote to
Executive Committee, Advisory Committee meeting force meetings for public comment adopt TES
Committee, and working
groups; adoption of decision-
making process; approval of
consultant scope of work
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 8
EV Council work plan
The EV Council has closely followed its statutory mandates in its work, beginning with the development of the
Transportation Electrification Strategy.
Develop Transportation Electrification Strategy
The EV Council's most important responsibility in 2023 was creating the Transportation Electrification Strategy
(RCW 43.392.040(1)(a)). The contracting team began working on the TES early in the year, and is on track to
finish it in time for delivery to the Legislature in January 2024. Figure 3 below shows the four tasks involved in
the TES project, as well as a timeline for each task's completion.
Figure 3: Transportation Electrification Strategy Timeline
Task 1 Process facilitation Jan. - Dec. 2023 (Project management and working group support)
Task 2 Data analysis and modeling
Jan. - Feb. 2023 (Analytical setup)
Jan. - June 2023 (Data collection and stakeholder input)
Feb. - July 2023 (EV Adoption modeling and EV charging analysis)
Task 3 Public engagement Dec. 2023 -
Jan. - April 2023 May - Sep. 2023 Sep. - Nov. 2023 Jan. 2024
(Identify priorities) (Confirm priorities) (Feedback on TES) (Implement)
Task 4 TES Development Oct. 2023
July - Aug. 2023
Jan. - Mar. 2023 (Incorporate tasks 2/3) (Public Nov. - Dec. 2023
(Draft annotated outline) comment) (Finalize TES)
Jan. Feb. Mar. April May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan.
There are many deliverables involved in the TES project, including final versions of the following:
The results from the modeling that underlies the TES. RMI modeled the number and type of EVs, as well
as the infrastructure needed to service those vehicles in order to meet the state's 2030 transportation
electrification targets.
An analytical dashboard that allows users to interact with the modeling results.
Communication tools to publicize the TES.
Education and engagement plans that meet RCW 43.392.040(1)(d) requirements. The education and
engagement plans have been informed by focus groups, one-on-one interviews, and statewide surveys.
The policy recommendations that stem from the TES.
The TES itself.
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 9
This report serves as an appendix to the TES. The full scope of the TES,
including the work noted above, is discussed elsewhere.
Identify EV infrastructure grant-related funding In clean
The EV Council has identified more than $818 million in "electric vehicle
transportation
infrastructure grant-related funding"7 (RCW 43.392.040(1)(b)). This funding
includes state, some federal, and other sources such as VW settlement funding
funds. The funding described in Appendix B: Clean Transportation Funding
Summary covers four areas of investment for the 2023-2025 biennium:
charging and fueling, on-road vehicle incentives, non-road vehicle $512.2 Million
electrification (including yard, rail, marine, and aviation vehicles), and EV incentives and
studies and program support. charging investments
$512.2 million of this funding is for investments in on-road vehicles and $15.0 Million
related charging and fueling. $267 million is targeted toward charging and For state agency fleets
fueling investments which may include both electrification and other
$243.9 Million
alternative fuels such as hydrogen. An additional $245 million is allocated to
For WSDOT initiatives
on-road vehicle incentives. This category includes funds for light-duty
vehicle electrification, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, school buses, e-
$210.5 Million
bikes, and car share programs. Many of these on-road programs also offer
For Commerce programs
funding for charging infrastructure.
$40.9 Million
An additional $288 million is dedicated for non-road purposes, including For Ecology programs
both vehicle replacements and related charging infrastructure. Most of
these non-road funds are allocated to WSDOT, and will serve to electrify $2.0 million
ports and the state's ferry vessels, along with some sustainable aviation, rail EPA Clean School bus
electrification, and cargo and off-road projects. Finally, $18 million is grants
dedicated to conducting studies and funding supporting programs,
including the EV Council. Some examples of the studies for 2023-2025
include measuring the utility-side costs for electric vehicle supply equipment
(EVSE); and two studies to be completed by the Legislature's Joint $288 Million
Transportation Committee on medium- and heavy-duty programs and Available for non-road
Climate Commitment Act evaluation tools. electrification
The EV Council also provides an opportunity at each meeting for members $55 Million
and others to share new funding opportunities. EV Council meetings are For Commerce initiatives
aired live on TVW and recorded, so viewers can be aware of those
$233 Million
opportunities. EV Council staff collect information about funding
For WSDOT initiatives
opportunities from state agencies, federal agencies, and other sources, and
post them on the EV Council website monthly.
$18 Million
Coordinate grant-related funding criteria Available for studies and
The EV Council continues to work on coordinating "grant funding criteria program development
across agency grant programs" (RCW 43.392.040(1)(c)). In summer 2023,
7 The Laws of 2023, Chapter 431, Section 13 expanded the funding identification mandate to include "…nongrant-related funding,
including revenues generated by an electric utility from credits under the clean fuels program."
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 10
EV Council staff gathered data from all of the agencies that run transportation electrification programs. That
data included funding sources, program goals, applicable market sectors, eligibility criteria, funding levels, and
upcoming important dates for each program. This data has become the starting point for weekly discussions
at Executive Committee meetings and monthly discussions at working group meetings. The goal of these
discussions has been to uncover market sectors that are not sufficiently served by existing programs, and
discuss whether funding levels for existing programs are sufficient.
The EV Council hopes to advance these efforts in several ways. First, Commerce plans to stand up a new
website, EVstate.wa.gov, to serve as a one-stop shop for transportation electrification-related programs. The
website will provide links to the state transportation electrification programs mentioned above. Other
information will be added to the website over time. Second, EV Council staff will continue working with state
agencies that participate in the working groups to coordinate eligibility criteria and identify gaps in program
offerings. The TES and its implementation plan will be the guide for these efforts.
Further coordination work is occurring between some of the member agencies. For instance, WSDOT,
Commerce, Ecology, and the Office of Equity have asked, and the EV Executive Committee has agreed, to serve
as the Steering Committee for the development of the Zero-Emission Vehicle Mapping and Forecasting Tool, a
very large project that will support the coordination of criteria through the use of common mapping elements.
Develop a robust outreach plan
RCW 43.392.040(1)(d) requires that the EV Council create a "robust public and private outreach plan." The
outreach plan must include engagement with community organizers, the EJ Council, and local governments.
As described above, one of the tasks assigned to the TES contracting team was to create education and
engagement plans. The EV Council believes that the education and engagement plans meet these
requirements. The education and engagement plans are also included with the TES.
Create an industry EV advisory committee
The EV Council voted to create an advisory committee to inform the EV Council on the TES and other related
topics. A total of 97 individuals initially indicated interest in joining the committee. The EV Council's Executive
Committee then scored and ranked the applicants, eventually whittling the list down to 25 individuals who
represented a cross-section of more than 15 EV stakeholder groups in the state.8
The EV Council approved the final Advisory Committee roster in January 2023, and the Advisory Committee
held its first official meeting on Feb. 15, 2023. The Advisory Committee chose two members to serve as co-
chairs. The Advisory Committee supported the EV Council throughout the TES development process by
providing critical input at each step, both at monthly Committee meetings and separately with EV Council staff.
In addition to the main Advisory Committee, the EV Council also formed six task forces focused on different
segments of the transportation electrification landscape:
Capacity-building
Charging and utility infrastructure
Electrifying efficient transportation and compact development
Light-duty passenger vehicles
8 "Advisory Committee selection process", January 4, 2023, memo to the EV Council. Available from
https://deptofcommerce.app.box.com/s/81wk97w1c9f0q8wt7211kqohtzyazrpd.
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 11
Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles
Workforce
Each of those task forces met at least twice each between June and Approach to
August 2023 and provided recommendations for draft policy proposals
in their topic area. identifying
vulnerable
Ensure vulnerable and overburdened populations and
communities benefit from transportation overburdened
electrification communities
Equity is a guiding principle for the EV Council.9 This shows most
Any Census tracts that
prominently in the TES, where the EV Council insisted that equity be a
are measured at a 9 or 10
central tenet. The equity focus in the TES is a product of the robust
on the Environmental
outreach that the Council and the TES contracting team conducted to
Health Disparities map
make sure all voices were heard throughout the TES' development. For
example:
All tribal lands
The TES contracting team coordinated a special equity task
force with a series of workshops in spring 2023 that informed Census tracts in the U.S.
how equity was centered in the TES. The task force's Environmental Protection
accomplishments include creating an approach to identify Agency's EJSCREEN tool
vulnerable populations and overburdened communities and 10 that are at the 80th
drafting equity indicators that will help measure the EV Council's percentile or above for
progress in implementing the TES equitably. race and income
The outreach conducted by TES subcontractors Cascadia and
SRA included one-on-one interviews with organizations that
represent and serve vulnerable populations and overburdened communities to discuss their barriers to
electrification and opportunities for an equitable shift to electrified transportation.
EV Council staff connected with the EJ Council, particularly during the development of the TES policy
recommendations. EV Council staff presented to a subcommittee of the EJ Council to solicit their input
on the TES and answer questions from subcommittee members.
Commerce and WSDOT's respective Offices of Tribal Relations sent letters to every tribe in the state
inviting them to participate in drafting the TES. This outreach resulted in a meeting with tribal
authorities.
As a result, the TES is informed by diverse viewpoints from across the state and centers equity as required by
law. As the EV Council moves into the implementation phase of the TES, it will be important to continue the
conversations that have begun and develop the robust set of metrics that will help ensure the TES is
implemented equitably. The TES has a chapter dedicated to discussing how it incorporated equity.
9 RCW 43.392.040(1)(f) requires that the EV Council "[e]nsur[e] the statewide transportation electrification strategy, grant distribution,
programs, and activities associated with advancing transportation electrification benefit vulnerable and overburdened communities."
10 The approach recommended by the task force includes any area measured at a 9 or 10 on the Environmental Health Disparities map;
all tribal lands; and Census tracts in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's EJSCREEN tool that are at the 80th percentile or above
for race and income.
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 12
EV Council agency summaries
This section details the transportation electrification-related activities and accomplishments for each member
agency of the EV Council in FY23.
Department of Commerce
CLEAN ENERGY FUND ELECTRIFICATION OF TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM
Level 2 charging ports Level 3 charging ports
installed installed
The Department of Commerce plays a prominent role in the state's transportation electrification programs. In
addition to being the co-lead agency for the EV Council, Commerce is the home of the Clean Transportation
unit, which is housed in the State Energy Office. Commerce also runs several transportation electrification
programs, including an EV charging program and the Clean Energy Fund (CEF), a portion of which is dedicated
to installing EV supply equipment.
Key activities and accomplishments include:
Created the Clean Transportation unit within the State Energy Office. The team added staff during the
fiscal year, including a grants manager, EV Council manager, grants and incentive specialists, and
policy staff.
Clean Transportation staff stood up the EV Council and hired RMI to complete the TES.
Offered free technical assistance to applicants for the $64 million EV Charging program. Applications
were due Dec. 1, and notices of awards are expected by Jan. 15, 2024.
Hired a consultant to help design EV incentive programs and a second consultant to administer a $22
million EV Rebate program expected to begin in April 2024.
Clean Transportation hired a consultant to build a mapping tool to facilitate application submissions
for the Community Charging program.
The CEF's Electrification of Transportation program released two rounds of solicitations for funding
available from the 2021-2023 biennium. The first round of funding resulted in five awards made to tribal
applicants across the state. Awards for the second round of funding will be announced in late 2023;
CEF received 33 initial applications.
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 13
Department of Transportation
Number of Level 3 charging Number of ZEV car share Number of electric transit
ports installed through ZEVIP programs launched through buses purchased through
program ZAP program Green Transportation
program
WSDOT serves as the second co-lead of the EV Council. It is the home of several transportation electrification
programs, including the Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Partnerships (ZEVIP) grants, which fund EVSE
and hydrogen fueling infrastructures; the Zero-Emission Access Program (ZAP) grants, funding zero-emission
car shares programs; and the Green Transportation Capital program, which provides funds to transit agencies
to purchase zero-emission buses and supporting infrastructure.
Key activities and accomplishments include:
Wrote and submitted the Washington State Plan for EV Infrastructure Deployment as part of the federal
National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. WSDOT submitted the initial plan to the EV
Council for approval in July 2022, and submitted an update to the plan one year later.
Maintains an interactive map that can be used to suggest EV charging locations.
Maintained websites and GovDelivery email distribution lists for the ZEVIP, ZAP, and Green
Transportation programs, and released calls for applications for all three programs for the 2023-2025
biennium.
Worked with other members of the EV Council by supporting grant reviews and sharing best practices,
and creating a Zero-Emissions Vehicle Mapping and Forecasting Tool.11
WSDOT staff drafted the agency's Transportation Carbon Reduction Strategy for the Federal Highway
Administration. The strategy describes how multiple WSDOT divisions are involved in reducing
transportation sector emissions.
11 RCW 47.01.520.
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 14
Department of Ecology
CLEAN DIESEL PROGRAM
Number of Clean Diesel Number of electric yard Number of electric school
Program grant trucks and associated buses and associated
agreements charging stations delivered charging stations delivered
VW SETTLEMENT FUNDS
Number of electric fire Public Level 2 charging Diesel school buses replaced
trucks funded ports installed with electric versions
Diesel transit buses replaced Number of electric State
with electric versions fleet vehicles purchased
Ecology plays two key roles in the state's push for transportation electrification. It is the home to two major
sources of funds: The Volkswagen settlement fund (VW settlement), a $141.1 million pot of money funded
through Volkswagen's settlement with the federal and state governments; and the Clean Diesel grant program,
which aims to electrify the state's school buses. In addition, Ecology implements several of the state's major
clean air programs, including the Climate Commitment Act, Clean Fuels Standard (CFS), and the Advanced
Clean Cars II and Advanced Clean Trucks regulations.
Key activities and accomplishments include:
Adopted and began implementing several different rules, including Advanced Clean Cars II; heavy-duty
low NOx12 omnibus regulations; a one-time fleet reporting requirement that requires managers of
medium- and heavy-duty fleet vehicles to report on vehicles, their locations, and their operating
characteristics; and the CFS.
Finalized rules for the CFS (including designating a backstop aggregator13), registered more than 300
participants in the program, planned for the upcoming first CFS credit market, and began the first
quarterly reporting period for the program.
12 Nitrogen oxides.
13 RCW 70A.535.030(9).
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 15
Created a map showing all VW settlement projects throughout the state.14
Supported WSDOT in reviewing grant applications for several WSDOT programs.
Prepared for upcoming funding rounds for all programs in the second half of 2023.
Department of Enterprise Services
Level 2 charging ports Level 3 charging ports
installed installed
The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) is a critical part of the effort to electrify the state's fleet vehicles
because it owns and manages a large shared fleet. In partnership with SEEP, DES is responsible for the
implementation of Executive Order 21-04, which requires state executive and small-cabinet agencies to meet
specific vehicle electrification targets for light duty (Class 1-2a) vehicles, and medium- and heavy-duty (Class
2b and higher) vehicles. Money allocated to DES through the operating and transportation budgets aids in
installing EVSE at state and leased facilities to support state vehicle fleets.
Key activities and accomplishments include:
Created its EVSE implementation team in July 2022, adding three employees to focus on electrification
efforts
Created a standardized process to evaluate EVSE project proposals and distribute funds assigned by
the Legislature. Project proposals and applications launched in August 2023 and the team started
reviewing project applications starting in September 2023.
The team worked very closely with SEEP in creating the EVSE Implementation Tool, which includes a
cost estimator and charging infrastructure planning components.
Pursuant to the 2022 supplemental budget15 and Executive Order 21-04, DES hired Accenture LLP to
develop a zero-emissions vehicle implementation strategy for all state cabinet agencies who manage
vehicle fleets larger than 50 vehicles.
EVSE installation projects overseen by DES in recent years have required agencies to collect and track
charging infrastructure data.
14 Available from: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4a720afe65a54c2c8680bd557eadcecc.
15 Laws of 2022, Chapter 297, Section 148(11).
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 16
State Energy and Environmental Performance Office
SEEP works in close partnership with DES to implement Executive Order 21-04. SEEP works directly with state
cabinet agencies to establish vehicle purchase exemption criteria and evaluate requests for exemptions, plan
and implement fleet electrification efforts, and support EVSE at state facilities.
Key activities and accomplishments include:
Developing and sharing the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) implementation plan template subject to EO
21-04. Agencies will submit initial comprehensive plans for fleet electrification by Dec. 1, 2023. SEEP
has held multiple webinars and is providing ongoing technical assistance.
Facilitating the vehicle exemption process for agencies subject to EO 21-04. On many occasions, fleet
managers and other agency staff have problem-solved with SEEP staff to find opportunities to adopt
EVs in cases where appropriate.
Adding an EO 21-04 dashboard, links to resources, the implementation plan template, and tracking of
plan submissions to the SEEP website.
Continuing to coordinate and facilitate monthly ZEV work group meetings, including coordinating key
guest speakers from the utility industry, EVSE contractors, and national entities such as NREL.
Supporting growth in resources, capacity, and expertise at state agencies by advocating with the
Governor’s Office for additional FTEs that work on fleet electrification, and providing ongoing training
opportunities and technical assistance.
Coordinating with NREL to develop agency EVSE site plans. Multiple agencies are currently using this
resource.
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
School bus grants EPA Clean School Number of electric Total electric school
awarded through Ecology Bus rebates school buses purchased buses statewide as of
Clean Diesel program received in FY23 July 2023
As a Council member, OSPI provides input on how the Council's activities will impact Washington's school
districts, and advocates for the districts to receive the resources they need to electrify their school bus fleets.
Many school buses run on diesel fuel, and diesel exhaust is associated with negative health outcomes for
children. Electrifying school buses presents a crucial opportunity to positively affect our children's health while
also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.16
16 The Electric School Bus Initiative, "Why We Need to Transition to Electric School Buses". Available from:
https://electricschoolbusinitiative.org/why-we-need-transition-electric-school-
buses#:~:text=Diesel%20exhaust%20pollution%20is%20linked,increasingly%20threatens%20our%20children%27s%20future. Accessed
Sept. 2, 2023.
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 17
Key activities and accomplishments include:
Collaborating with Ecology on the Clean Diesel grant program.
Providing school bus data to RMI as part of the TES modeling.
Utilities and Transportation Commission
The UTC plays a key role in the state's transition to electric vehicles through its oversight of the state's
investor-owned electric utilities. The UTC reviews and accepts utility transportation electrification plans, and
regulates the rates utilities are allowed to charge customers for electricity that they obtain from EVSE. The
UTC also works with the utilities to ensure that the state's electric grid is prepared for the additional electricity
it must provide as more vehicles electrify.
Key activities and accomplishments include:
All three electric utilities regulated by the UTC have submitted transportation electrification plans,
which are multi-year plans to install EVSE and prepare the grid for electrified transportation.
The UTC approved a set of transportation electrification tariffs from Puget Sound Energy. The tariffs
include a variety of EVSE ownership models and limited demonstration projects.
UTC staff collaborated with Commerce and Ecology to create a list of eligible investments for revenue
from CFS credits from electric utilities.
The UTC supported Commerce in its utility-side EVSE study.
Department of Health
The Department of Health provides recommendations and resources on how people can best protect
themselves from air pollution, smog, and particle pollution emitted by gasoline-powered cars and trucks, which
is associated with a number of heart and lung ailments.17 As a member of the EV Council, DOH provides data
and input into the impacts transportation electrification will have on the health of people who live in
Washington, and advocates for improving health impacts. DOH houses the Environmental Health Disparities
Map, an interactive mapping tool that compares communities for environmental health disparities. Finally, it
provides operational and administrative support for the EJ Council, an important advisor in the equitable
transition to electric transportation.
Key activities and accomplishments include:
Advocated for incorporating public health and health co-benefits into the development of the TES,
including by participating in the equity task force and bringing overburdened communities' perspectives
into the process.
Connected other EV Council members and staff to key personnel working on equity issues, such as the
Environmental Health Disparities map, and to staff at the EJ Council.
Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture (WSDA) plays an important role in the oversight of public EV charging
infrastructure. It implements WAC 16-662-200 through WAC 16-662-220, which require publicly available EVSE
17 United State Environmental Protection Agency, "Learn About How Mobile Source Pollution Affects Your Health". Available from:
https://www.epa.gov/mobile-source-pollution/learn-about-how-mobile-source-pollution-affects-your-health#top. Accessed Sept. 2,
2023.
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 18
to accept specific forms of payment and clearly display the costs incurred by charging at that EVSE, and do so
in multiple languages.
The department completed rulemaking for WAC 16-662-200 through WAC 16-662-220 on January 1, 2023, and
these new rules go into effect on January 1, 2024. In September 2023, WSDA issued a policy statement
delaying payment method implementation while the agency considers a petition for changes that would align
with new federal guidance on the topic. The main goal of this program is to create equity, consistency, and
transparency in the EV charging space similar to the transparency offered by its traditional Weights and
Measures Program.
Expansion of WSDA’s ability to use electric transportation options is predicated on a significant increase in the
total number of EVSE in rural areas of the state. Implementation of WAC 16-662-200 will assist WSDA and
other state agencies that work in rural areas of the state in increasing their electric transportation options.
Office of Financial Management
OFM provides the EV Council with information, policy recommendations, and financial data related to the
state's transportation electrification programs. OFM brings a long-term budget perspective to the EV Council.
Throughout 2023, OFM has helped ensure that other agencies understand the fiscal ramifications of their
proposals.
Key activities and accomplishments include:
Advising the EV Council on budget building and coordination among executive branch agencies and
legislative timelines. At EV Council meetings, OFM shares its perspective on the budget implications of
proposed actions, and provides guidance on whether proposals require legislation to enact.
Promoting the work of the EV Council and transportation electrification programs with other state
agencies.
Coordinating and sharing policy questions and concerns, and connecting involved entities with the EV
Council.
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 19
2024 EV Council plans
This section details the EV Council and its members' plans for the next year.
The EV Council will have several priorities for 2024. The most important is beginning to implement the TES.
Implementation will involve state agencies and partners undertaking many activities, with coordination from
the EV Council. To that end, the EV Council intends to adopt a 2024 work plan, which will serve as a guide for
all transportation electrification activities at state agencies. This plan is currently under development.
As TES implementation begins, the next priority is measuring the state's progress toward the 2030 target.
Some of the metrics the EV Council will track have become evident as the TES was drafted; others will require
more development. Regardless, EV Council staff will need to precisely define each metric, as well as ensure a
suitable data source is available. There is currently no central repository for certain transportation
electrification-related data used by state agencies; for example, much of the data for this report was sourced
directly from the agencies, which can be time-consuming. EV Council staff will look into creating a database
for information from all the agencies on the EV Council, and potentially other relevant external information.
The third priority will be fulfilling the identification and coordination function required of the EV Council in RCW
43.392.040(1). EV Council staff will build upon the activities discussed in this report to further the
identification and coordination functions. These two responsibilities will be a focus of the work plan, to be
finalized in early 2024.
Finally, public education and engagement are crucial to reaching the 2030 target. The education and
engagement plans that will accompany the TES will serve as an implementation guide for state agencies.
Commerce will also launch the EVstate.wa.gov website and keep it updated with programmatic information,
funding sources, and other information that would be useful for the public.
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 20
Appendix A: EV Council Advisory Committee Members
The below organizations and perspectives are represented on the EV Council's Advisory Committee:
8020 Vision
AAA Washington
Alliance for Automotive Innovation
Association of Washington Business
BlueGreen Alliance
CaliberA LLC
City of Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment
Climate Solutions
Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
Energy Northwest
EV Support (a division of Puget Sound Solar LLC)
FMS Global Strategies/WA Build Back Black Alliance
King County Metro Transit Department
The Northwest Seaport Alliance
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pierce County Planning and Public Works, Sustainable Resources division
Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
Puget Sound Electrical JATC
Puget Sound Energy
Seattle City Light
Sound Transit
A southwest Washington resident
Spokane Regional Transportation Council
Washington State Auto Dealers Association
A Yakima Valley resident
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 21
Appendix B: Clean Transportation Funding Summary
The tables below offer a snapshot of the programs and funding available for transportation electrification in
the FY2023-2025 timeframe. Not all programs are limited to electrification - some fund other alternative fuel
sources. Funding sources vary from state to federal sources.
Table 1 - Charging and Fueling Investments
Agency Investment 23-25 Amount Summary
Install Level 2 charging equipment at multi-family and fleet
Commerce Community charging $138,000,000
locations; Level 2 and 3 at public locations
Level 2 and 3 rural and tribal charging projects (re-appropriated
Commerce Clean Energy Fund $5,500,000
from FY23)
Funding to implement zero-emission vehicle infrastructure
Commerce EVSE mapping tool $17,000,000
mapping and forecasting tool (IAA with WSDOT)
VW settlement – Level 2 Funding for publicly available Level 2 and 3 charging in
Ecology $9,000,000
and Level 3 charging communities
Funding for charging at state agency facilities ($5.3M operating;
State Fleet EO 21-04 charging DES $11,300,000
$6M CCA)
EO 21-04 state agency Funding for state agency staff to plan fleet transition to electric
State Fleet $1,700,000
staffing vehicles
Parks and recreation
State Fleet $2,000,000 Funding for electric vehicles and charging for agency fleet (CCA)
vehicles and charging
ZEVIP (state highway Increase EV charging infrastructure within one driving mile of
WSDOT $30,746,000
corridor charging/fueling) state highways
NEVI (federal highway Increase EV charging infrastructure within one driving mile of
WSDOT $25,000,000
corridor charging) federal highways
Funding for charging infrastructure to power medium- and heavy-
WSDOT MHDV incentives $20,000,000
duty electric vehicles
WSDOT Hydrogen refueling stations $3,000,000 Funding for hydrogen refueling stations. (pending JTC study)
EV charging for Mount Funding for electric vehicle charging at the Mount Vernon Library
WSDOT $2,100,000
Vernon Commons project
Wenatchee charging and Funding for fast charging and hydrogen refueling station in
WSDOT $1,500,000
hydrogen fueling Wenatchee
Subtotal $266,846,000
Table 2 - On-road Vehicle Incentives
Agency Investment 23-25 Amount Summary
EPA Clean School Bus Grants to School Districts of Tekoa,
Local agency EPA Clean School Bus Grant $1,975,000
Toppenish, South Whidbey (5 buses) Awarded 8/2022
Increase the adoption of light-duty battery electric vehicles
Commerce Electric vehicle incentives $50,000,000
through point-of-sale rebates and other incentives
ZEV school buses and Electrify school buses and support idle reduction and other diesel
Ecology $15,600,000
diesel emissions reduction equipment engine replacements
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 22
Agency Investment 23-25 Amount Summary
Funding to replace diesel with zero-emission refuse vehicles,
VW settlement – medium-
Ecology $16,300,000 street sweepers, freight switchers, and port cargo handling
heavy duty
equipment
Zero-emission car-share programs in underserved communities
WSDOT ZAP EV car share $3,200,000
where access to public transportation is less available
Funding for medium- and heavy-duty zero emission vehicle and
Commercial vehicle
WSDOT $100,000,000 charging incentives, with program design being developed by the
incentives & charging
JTC (pending JTC study)
Green Transit Capital Funding for reducing carbon intensity of transit operations
WSDOT $51,400,000
Program through clean vehicles and associated charging and fueling
Funding for incentives of $300-$1,200 for e-bikes depending on
E-bike Rebates and
WSDOT $7,000,000 income eligibility; to develop an e-bike lending library and
Micromobility
ownership grant ($5M rebates, $2M lending library)
Subtotal $245,475,000
Table 3 - Non-road Investments (Yard, Rail, Marine, Aviation)
Agency Investment 23-25 Amount Summary
Funding to create a “hard to decarbonize” grant program that
Hard-to-decarbonize project
Commerce $50,000,000 funds decarbonization projects in aviation, marine, and industrial
grants
sectors.
Port electrification – pass
Commerce $5,000,000 Pass-through funding to install shore power at Port of Everett
through
WSDOT Clean off-road equipment $5,000,000 Funding for clean off-road equipment.(pending JTC study)
Clean cargo handling
WSDOT $2,500,000 Funding for cargo handling equipment (pending JTC study)
equipment
WSDOT Ferry electrification $169,977,000 Funding to convert ferries to hybrid electric
Port electrification -
WSDOT $26,500,000 Competitive program for shore power at public ports
competitive
Pass-through funding for the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma of
Port electrification – pass
WSDOT $22,800,000 $6.3M for electric drayage trucks; and funding for shore power
through
$14M Seattle and Tacoma, $2M Bremerton, 0.5M Anacortes
Pass-through funding to replace two Tacoma rail diesel-electric
Tacoma rail locomotive switcher locomotives with zero emission battery-electric switcher
WSDOT $5,000,000
electrification locomotives and to install on-site charging equipment at a
Tacoma rail facility
Sustainable aviation Projects to pursue cleaner airport operations and funding to
WSDOT $1,510,000
projects design a grant program
Subtotal $288,287,000
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 23
Table 4 - Studies and Program Development
Agency Investment 23-25 Amount Summary
Funding to staff the EV Council and develop/implement the
Commerce EV Council $2,100,000
Transportation Electrification Strategy
Funding to assess costs to update electric grid to deliver power
Commerce Study utility-side EVSE costs $220,000 to charging identified in the Transportation Electrification
Strategy
Funding for the JTC to design a medium- and heavy-duty ZEV and
Studies on MHD vehicle
fueling incentive program, and assess possible updates to the
Legislature programs and sales tax $2,000,000
passenger vehicle sales and use tax exemption for clean
exemption
alternative fuel vehicles (Jan. 2024)
Evaluation tools for CCA Funding for the JTC to develop tools to evaluate emissions
Legislature $1,000,000
funded programs reductions from CCA investments
State Fleet DNR charging study $2,200,000 Funding to plan transition to electric vehicles
Develop and implement a community outreach, education, and
technical assistance program for overburdened communities and
Community capacity
their community partners in order to develop community-centered
WSDOT building for transportation $3,000,000
carbon reduction strategies to make meaningful impacts in a
carbon reduction
community, and to provide assistance in gaining access to
available funding to implement these strategies
Pass through funding to the sustainable aviation evaluation
WSDOT Sustainable aviation center $6,500,000 center to research sustainable aviation fuels, hydrogen, and
battery electric aviation.
WSU Green Transportation Funding for the WSU Green Transportation Program to provide
WSU $1,055,000
Program technical assistance to public fleets transitioning to ZEVs.
Subtotal $18,075,000
Total funding $818,683,000
Table 5 - Utility Programs
Program Name Program Information
Consumer-owned utility
Each consumer-owned utility initiates its own programs with their own budgets. Many of those
transportation electrification
programs can be found under the energy efficiency category at www.dsire.org
programs
Investor-owned utility Each investor-owned utility initiates its own programs with their own budgets. Many of those
transportation electrification programs can be found on the individual utility websites: Avista, Pacific Power, Puget Sound
programs Energy
2023 EV COORDINATING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 24
File and source
- File
- 2024_wa-transportation-electrification-strategy-summary-0ac1fdab-1b85-4e37-.pdf
- Size
- 14,154,911 bytes
- SHA-256
- ab03eca36e553e37389ef455b7a265424fa16ac3b5db276ed64358ad82beb507
- Original
- app.leg.wa.gov