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 2012, according to a new online dashboard released earlier this month by Environment Washington Research & Policy Center.

The dashboard, Renewables on the Rise 2022, documents the growth of six key clean energy technologies across the United States over the past decade: solar power, wind power, battery storage, energy efficiency, electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations. 

In 2021, the Evergreen state had a total 3,942 public electric vehicle charging ports and sold 20,780 electric vehicles, up from just 287 charging ports and 1,874 electric vehicles sold in 2012.   However, Washington ranks 18th for growth in wind power production and 37th in growth of solar generation, lagging behind states like Texas, California, Florida, and Iowa. 

“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 15th in the nation for total expected energy savings from efficiency measures implemented in 2020, we rank 48th for growth of energy savings since 2012. 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 2021 as in 2012. 

The Inflation Reduction Act, passed by Congress this 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. Some of the credits are in effect now, and many will take effect in 2023. 

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.

“Millions of Americans and Washingtonians are already reaping the benefits of the clean energy progress we’ve made so far,” Clough said. “With federal tax credits promising to turbocharge clean energy, now is the time for states to lean in on clean energy and transform the vision of 100% clean and renewable energy for Washington into a reality. 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.”