For Immediate Release
April 28, 2019

HB 2042 Passes Washington Legislature
Extends State Tax Incentive Programs for Electric Vehicles and Infrastructure.

Olympia, WA. – Today, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law HB 2042, which passed the Washington legislature overwhelmingly on April 28. With the Governor’s signature, this legislation will increase the adoption of electric and clean alternative fuel vehicles and supports clean fuel charging infrastructure to curb exhaust and greenhouse gas emissions in Washington State.

“I’m pleased to sign HB 2042, which will reinstate the sales tax exemption for electric and alternative fuel vehicles. This important legislation will assist in reducing carbon emissions in the Pacific Northwest,” said Washington’s Governor, Jay Inslee.

Forth advocated for the following key provisions of HB 2042 and applauds the Washington State Legislature for passing such important legislation:

• Extends tax incentive programs for electric and other alternative fuel vehicles and charging infrastructure. (Available August 1, 2019, for new or leased vehicles with a sales price of $45,000 or less, or a used vehicle with a sales price of $30,000 or less.)
• Enables public and private utilities to invest in electric vehicle charging or hydrogen fueling station infrastructure.
• Provides $3.6 million in funding for projects that demonstrate electric car-sharing in low-income communities and rural areas over six years.
• Funds a study to find opportunities for financial assistance for lower-income residents to purchase electric vehicles.
• Provides $36 million in grants to assist transit authorities to purchase electric battery and fuel cell components for electric and zero emission buses.
• Provides $1 million annually to continue building out the state’s fast-charging network.

“HB 2042, which extends the state sales and use tax exemption for low-to-middle-income Washington residents to lease or buy new or used electric cars, passed both the House and Senate with strong bi-partisan support,” said Representative Jake Fey, who also serves on Forth’s board of directors. “I am very appreciative of the many stakeholders that made this happen.”

“Via HB2042, Representatives Jake Fey and Ed Orcutt, Senator Rebecca Saldaña and other state legislators showed true leadership to ensure that transportation electrification continues to be a major priority for the state of Washington,” noted Forth’s Executive Director Jeff Allen. “We are especially pleased that were able to include used electric cars and projects in low income urban and rural communities in the bill.”

“As the EV market has matured, the State of Washington has been a global leader in promoting electric vehicles to more buyers,” notes Brian Maragno, Director of EV Marketing and Sales Strategy for Nissan North America. “State leaders should be applauded for their commitment to expand electric vehicle adoption.”

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Forth is a mission-driven non-profit organization devoted to advancing electric, shared and smart mobility. Please feel free to get in touch with us with any questions, comments or quotes.

Download the full press release here.