New analysis: Washington among national leaders for electric vehicle charging and adoption, but room to grow in renewable energy adoption

SEATTLE – Washington ranks sixth in the nation for growth in both public electric vehicle charging ports and annual electric vehicle sales since 2013, according to a new online dashboard released on Wednesday by Environment Washington Research & Policy Center. 

The Renewables on the Rise 2023 dashboard compiles information from various sources to detail progress over the past decade in six areas — wind, solar, electric vehicles, electric vehicle charging, energy efficiency and battery storage — that will be key to transitioning to a future powered entirely by clean and renewable resources.

Topline findings include:

• In 2022, the Evergreen state had a total of 5,000 public electric vehicle charging ports and sold 31,055 electric vehicles, up from just 519 charging ports and 4,482 electric vehicles sold in 2013. 
• Washington ranks 36th in solar generation and growth of solar generation, lagging behind states like Texas, Oregon, New York, and Iowa. 
• Washington ranks 14th in the nation for total expected energy savings from efficiency measures implemented in 2021, but 47th for growth of energy savings since 2013.

“It’s great to see Washington among the nation’s leaders for electric vehicle adoption and public electric vehicle charging ports,” said Pam Clough, Advocate with Environment Washington Research & Policy Center. “But with Washington’s statewide goal to transition our grid to 100% clean energy by 2045, we need to accelerate Washington’s clean energy growth and make bold investments in renewable energy projects across the state.” 

In addition to investing in new clean energy projects, Washington should continue to invest in energy storage and energy efficiency solutions to support peak energy use and avert power brown-outs during extreme weather events throughout the year. While our state ranked 14th in the nation for total expected energy savings from efficiency measures implemented in 2021, we rank 47th for growth of energy savings since 2013. Advancements in energy efficiency will ensure that we’re making the most of our clean energy resources, especially as increased vehicle and building electrification will demand more from our grid. 

 In addition to highlighting states that have made the most progress in adopting renewable energy technologies, the research also details the rapid gains achieved nationally over the past decade. According to the report, America produced more than three times as much renewable electricity from the sun, the wind and the earth in 2022 as in 2013. 

Washington state has now raised nearly $1.5 billion from greenhouse gas-emitting companies through carbon-pricing auctions. This cap-and-invest program was created in 2021 by the landmark Climate Commitment Act, and provides revenue that by law must be invested in climate projects throughout the state, such as subsidizing electric vehicles, electrifying homes, and investing in energy efficiency programs and renewable energy projects. 

Additionally, the Inflation Reduction Act, passed by Congress last summer and signed by President Biden offers consumers tax credits and discounts on more than a dozen types of energy-saving purchases, including new and used electric vehicles, rooftop solar, geothermal heating and cooling, upgrading electric panels, and heat pump HVAC systems, water heaters and clothes dryers. Many of these credits have gone into effect already. 

Modeling by Energy Innovation found that the provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act will spur clean energy and reduce pollution from fossil fuels, preventing 3,700 to 3,900 deaths and 100,000 asthma attacks each year by 2030.

“The combination of income from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act and federal tax credits gives Washington state an unprecedented opportunity to invest in clean energy and transform the vision of 100% clean and renewable energy for Washington into a reality,” Clough said. “Producing power in ways that doesn’t pollute our air or make our kids sick has so many benefits. The sooner we make it happen, the better.”

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Environment  Washington Research & Policy Center is dedicated to protecting our air, water and open spaces. We work to protect the places we love, advance the environmental values we share, and win real results for our environment. For more information, visit www.environmentwashingtoncenter.org.