Repowering Transportation in Washington State

Repowering Transportation in Washington State

Across Washington state, reliance on fossil fuels for transportation contributes to some of our biggest environmental and public health challenges. Driving emits more global warming pollution than any other part of Washington’s economy. And every year, Washingtonians spend nearly $10 billion on gasoline and diesel products imported from out of the state and country.

The driving that occurs within our state is responsible for:

  • 39 billion gallons of fuel burned each year,
  • 43 percent of global warming emissions,
  • 45 million tons of annual global warming emissions.

Map: Find Local Data for Your City

Yellow shading represents relative solar potential. Source: NREL

Washington can repower its transportation system with clean, renewable energy. Washington has the clean energy resources to do so, and the benefits of EVs and clean energy are amplified when they go together.

  • Just 5.5 percent of Washington’s wind and solar energy potential could power all current state electricity demand, plusthe estimated demand from a fully electrified vehicle fleet.
  • In more than half of Washington towns and cities, small buildings alone could host enough rooftop solar to power an electrified transportation system.
  • EVs and clean energy go great together. EVs powered by renewable energy are essentially emission-free, and the smart use of EV batteries can help improve the stability of a renewable
    electric grid.

To view energy data for your city – including the share of local emissions from driving, and the share of electrified transportation that could be powered by small rooftop solar – click your city on the above map, or enter your city name into the dialog box below. For more information, see our new report Road to a Fossil Free Washington.

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