Washington EV incentives and laws
State incentives, charger programs and rules for electric vehicles, summarised from the U.S. Department of Energy with a link to the full text.
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Emissions Inspection Exemption
ExemptionsCommercialGovernment EntityPersonal Vehicle Owner / Driver
AFVs powered exclusively by electricity, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and propane are exempt from state emissions control inspections. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that obtain a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy rating of at least 50 miles per gallon during city driving are also exempt from these inspections. (Reference [Revised Code of Washington 46.16A.060](http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/))
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Retail Sales and Use Tax Exemption
ExemptionsCommercialGovernment EntityOtherPersonal Vehicle Owner / Driver
The sale or lease of new or used passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger AFVs is exempt from the state retail sales and use tax. Eligible AFVs include those powered by natural gas, propane, hydrogen, or electricity. To be eligible, new vehicles may not be valued above \$45,000 and used vehicles may not be valued above \$30,000. The tax exemption may apply to all or a portion of the vehicle's value. The maximum eligible amount for used purchased or leased vehicles is \$16,000. The exemption for sales of used and new vehicles expired on July 31, 2025. Leases that qualify…
Alternative Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program
GrantsAlternative Fuel Infrastructure Operator
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) offers competitive grants to deploy Level 2 and direct current fast charging electric vehicle (EV) chargers and hydrogen fueling infrastructure along highway corridors in Washington. Priority corridors for these grants include state highways for EV charging and interstates, U.S. highways, and state routes for hydrogen stations. Eligible project costs include siting, equipment purchases, electrical upgrades, installation, operations, and maintenance. For more information, including funding availability and application periods, see the WS…
Commercial Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Fueling Infrastructure Tax Credit
Tax IncentivesAlternative Fuel Infrastructure OperatorAlternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Manufacturer / RetrofitterCommercial
Businesses are eligible to receive tax credits for purchasing new or used medium- and heavy-duty AFVs and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles converted to alternative fuels, and installing alternative fueling infrastructure. Eligible alternative fuels are natural gas, propane, hydrogen, dimethyl ether, and electricity. Tax credits for qualified alternative fueling infrastructure are for up to 50% of the cost to purchase and install the infrastructure. New commercial vehicle tax credit amounts vary based on gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and are up to 75% of the incremental cost, with maximum c…
Community Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Grants
GrantsAlternative Fuel ProducerCommercialGovernment EntityMultifamily HousingOtherTribal Government
The Washington State Department of Commerce offers grants for the purchase and installation of Level 2 and direct current fast (DC Fast) chargers for use at public, workplace, tribal, and multi-unit dwelling (MUD) locations. Eligible applicants include multifamily housing locations, retail electric utilities, non-profits, government entities, and tribal governments. Low-income applicants will be given funding priority. Additional terms and conditions apply. Funding is not currently available for this program (verified June 2025). For more information, including application guidelines and fundi…
Diesel Emission Reduction Grants
GrantsAlternative Fuel ProducerGovernment EntityOtherTribal Government
The Washington State Department of Ecology offers grants for the replacement or repower of medium- and heavy-duty diesel refuse trucks, street sweepers, freight switcher locomotives, port cargo handling equipment, and forklifts with zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) and associated infrastructure. Grants are available in the following amounts: ::: {data-align="center"} Eligible ZEVs Maximum Grant Amount ---------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- Zero Emission Refuse Vehicles and Street Sweepers 80% of project costs, up to \$750,000 Zero Emis…
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Grants
GrantsCommercialGovernment EntityMultifamily HousingOther
The Washington State Department of Ecology offers grants for the purchase and installation of Level 2 EV chargers for use at public, fleet, workplace, and multifamily housing locations. The maximum grant award is \$10,000 per plug, up to 10 plugs. Eligible applicants include multifamily housing, nonprofit organizations, state and local government entities, businesses, and tribal governments. Applicants located in environmental justice communities will be given funding priority. Additional terms and conditions apply. This program is funded by Washington's portion of the [Volkswagen (VW) Environ…
Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability Grants
GrantsAlternative Fuel Infrastructure OperatorAlternative Fuel Purchaser
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) administers Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator (EVCRAA) grant funding from the U.S. DOT Federal Highway Administration for the repair and replacement of existing, non-operational publicly accessible Level 2 and direct current (DC) fast chargers. Funding is available for up to 80% of eligible project costs. For more information, including awarded projects, see the [WSDOT EVCRAA Grant](https://wsdot.wa.gov/business-wsdot/grants/zero-emission-vehicle-grants/electric-vehicle-charging-reliability-and-accessibi…
Low-Income Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebates
RebatesPersonal Vehicle Owner / Driver
The Washington EV Instant Rebate Program offers rebates to residents for the purchase or lease of a qualified new or pre-owned EV. New EVs are eligible for a rebate of up to \$9,000, and pre-owned EVs are eligible for a rebate of up to \$2,500. Applicants may receive one rebate, and no more than three rebates are allowed per residential address. Only applicants who have a household income at or below 300% of the current federal poverty level or who are enrolled in an eligible [income qualified program](https://wastateevrebate.com/am-i-eligible/) are eligible for the rebate. For more informatio…
Public Transportation Grant Funding
GrantsAlternative Fuel Infrastructure OperatorGovernment EntityOther
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) administers grants for public transportation projects, including alternative fuel vehicle acquisitions and associated charging or fueling infrastructure. Relevant programs may include Green Transportation Capital, Public Transit Rideshare, Regional Mobility, State Buses and Bus Facilities, and Tribal Transit Mobility. For more information, including funding availability and program dates, see the WSDOT [Public Transportation Grant Programs and Awards](https://wsdot.wa.gov/business-wsdot/grants/public-transportation-grants/grant-programs…
Public Utility Definition
ExemptionsAlternative Fuel Infrastructure OperatorAlternative Fuel ProducerCommercialGovernment EntityOther
An entity that offers electric vehicle supply equipment to the public for hire may not have their rates, services, facilities or practices regulated by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (Commission). The exemption does not apply if the entity is otherwise subject to Commission jurisdiction as an electrical company, or if an entity's battery charging facilities and services are subsidized by any regulated service. A utility may offer battery charging facilities as a regulated service, subject to Commission approval. (Reference [Revised Code of Washington 80.28.320](http://a…
School Bus Transition Grants
GrantsGovernment EntityOtherTribal Government
The Washington State Department of Ecology offers grants within the Clean Diesel program to transition school bus fleets away from fossil fuels. The primary recipients are owners of school buses that transport K-12 students to public, tribal, and charter schools for the replacement of diesel school buses with zero emission school buses, including associated charging and fueling infrastructure. Grant awards may be up to 100% of the incremental cost of a zero emission school bus and up to \$50,000 per bus for the cost of charging or fueling infrastructure. Applicants may receive grants for up to…
Utility Electrification Plans and Return on Investment Authorization
OtherAlternative Fuel Infrastructure OperatorAlternative Fuel Producer
Utilities are authorized to submit transportation electrification plans that deploy electric vehicle (EV) chargers or programs and incentives that support transportation electrification. Additionally, utilities may petition the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) for a rate of return on EV chargers installed for the benefit of ratepayers through December 31, 2030. The UTC may approve an additional 2% to the standard rate of return if the utility installs EV charging stations on a fully regulated basis similar to other capital investments behind a customer's meter, and the …
Washington's National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Planning
GrantsAlternative Fuel Infrastructure OperatorGovernment Entity
The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) [NEVI Formula Program](https://afdc.energy.gov/laws/12744) required the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to submit an annually updated EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan (Plan) for fiscal years 2022 through 2026 to their FHWA Division Office, describing how the state intended to distribute NEVI funds and their physical and cybersecurity strategies, and including a Community Engagement Outcomes Report. The submitted plans must address updated [NEVI guidance](https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/nevi/). For more information about Washin…
Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Carshare and Infrastructure Grant
GrantsCommercialGovernment Entity
The Zero-emissions (zero tailpipe emission) Access Program (ZAP), administered by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), offers grants to nonprofit organizations and local governments to design and create a ZEV (zero tailpipe emission) carshare program in underserved and low-to moderate-income communities. Grant awards may range from \$50,000 to \$200,000. Eligible projects include: - Contract, lease, or purchase of ZEVs; - Construction or installation of correlated chargers or fueling infrastructure; and, - Operational costs to develop, implement, and manage a car share pr…
Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Sales Tax Exemption for Transit
ExemptionsTax IncentivesTransitTribal Government
A sales and use tax exemption is established for zero emission buses purchased by transit agencies or federally recognized tribes for public transportation. The exemptions expire once \$14 million in cumulative benefits are reached. For this tax exemption, zero emission bus means a bus that emits no exhaust gas from the onboard source of power, other than water vapor. (Reference [Senate Bill 5801, 2025](https://leg.wa.gov/) and [Revised Code of Washington 82.38.030 and 82.38.075](https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/))