A goal to eliminate the sale of new gas-powered cars in Washington by 2030 is noble — if overly ambitious. Reducing the number of emissions-spewing vehicles on the road, replacing them with electric cars and trucks, is essential to fighting climate change and protecting the environment and economy.
The aspirational language is included in the 16-year, $17 billion transportation package passed by this year’s Legislature and signed by Gov. Jay Inslee. As The Seattle Times reports: “The commitment is just two sentences within the 120-page document, but nevertheless represents the culmination of years of advocacy in the Legislature for what is now the most aggressive timeline in the country.”
Make no mistake: This is merely a goal, not a mandate. And reality often has a way of interfering with legislative goals. But the plan advances the discussion by clearly articulating our state’s desires, setting an example for other states to follow, and sending a message to consumers and auto manufacturers that climate change is a crisis that must be addressed.
Rep. Nicole Macri, D-Seattle, told the Times that just a few years ago such a proposal was considered radical. But now, she said, “The more you talk about an issue, the more people start thinking about it. From 2019 to 2022 it was just amazing to see the evolution of the conversation and engagement.”
That is because climate change can no longer be ignored. Transportation is, by far, the most prolific generator of greenhouse gases, which contribute to a warming climate. The impact of that warming has become increasingly obvious in recent years, with even greater impacts expected to come.
Passing ambitious legislation, however, often is the easy part. Implementation can be more difficult, and dramatic desires often fall into the category of wishful thinking.
“There’s a lot more to it than just having the cars available,” said Rep. Andrew Barkis, R-Olympia, the ranking member of the House Transportation Committee. “We’ve got a long way to go for power supply and infrastructure and everything that goes along with it.”
Indeed. So we should get busy working toward that, rather than ruminating about the obstacles.
“We have to step up our game,” Inslee told The Columbian’s Editorial Board in December when asked about the state’s power grid and climate goals. “We’ve got to do these now.”
Notably, Washington’s goals were echoed somewhat last week by the federal government. On Friday, the Biden administration announced that new vehicles in the United States must average at least 40 miles per gallon of gas by 2030. That is an upgrade from the Trump administration’s mandate of 26 miles per gallon — which was a capricious rollback from earlier standards established by the Obama administration.
Automakers — understanding the changing desires of consumers — opposed the Trump standards for being too low. Major manufacturers have engaged in the development and marketing of expanded lines of electric vehicles, recognizing that the market is inevitably moving in that direction.
For now, electric cars represent a little more than 1 percent of registered vehicles in Washington. The state ranks fourth in new registrations of electric vehicles.
It is true that the goal of eliminating the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2030 is a long reach. But it is equally true that great initiatives begin with a germ of an idea.
In that regard, Washington is driving in the right direction toward an ambitious goal.
