Electric vehicles - Electric vehicle registrations

2023

Washington's electric vehicle registrations increased 46% from 2022

Washington ranked fourth in the nation in terms of total registered EVs, according to data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. There were 166,800 registered EVs in the state as of 2023, a 46% increase from 114,600 in 2022. This increase in registered EVs represents the largest annual growth since 2018. EV market expansion is driven by various factors, such as additional make and model offerings, tax exemptions, charging infrastructure grants, utility incentives, and emission reduction goals.

The total EV count in Washington for 2023 included 130,293 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and 36,507 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). A BEV is an all-electric vehicle that uses a battery to power a motor and is charged by plugging the vehicle into an electrical power source. A PHEV is a vehicle that uses a battery to power an electric motor, uses another fuel, such as gasoline or diesel, to power an internal combustion engine, and is charged by plugging the vehicle into an electrical power source.

EV ownership increases across the majority of counties

Pend Oreille, Whitman, and Lewis counties had the largest relative increases in EVs from 2022 to 2023, with 75.0% growth (32 to 56), 68.3% growth (183 to 308), and 62.2% growth (437 to 709), respectively. King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties had the largest total number of EVs registered in 2023, with totals of 86,594 (44.2% growth from 60,059 in 2022), 19,570 (53.9% growth from 12,720 in 2021), and 12,972 (49.4% growth from 8,684 in 2022), respectively.

2022

Washington's electric vehicle registrations increase 31% from 2021

Washington was sixth in the nation in terms of electric vehicle market share in 2022 with EVs comprising 3.4% of all registered vehicles. There were 114,600 EV registrations in the state as of December 31, 2022, approximately a 31% increase from 87,685 in 2021 and a 167% increase from 42,878 registrations in 2018.

The total EV count in Washington for 2022 included 87,769 battery electric vehicles (BEVs). and 26,831 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Washington has a ratio of approximately three to one BEVs for every PHEV.

EV ownership increases across all counties

Washington counties have had a 31% increase in registered electric vehicles from 87,685 in 2021 to 114,600 in 2022. Kittitas and Snohomish counties had the largest increases in EVS from 2021 to 2022, with 43.0% (277 to 396) and 36.9% (9,292 to 12,720), respectively.

King County saw its total number of EVs increase 31.4% during this period, from 45,718 to 60,059.

2021

Washington sees approximately 39% increase in electric vehicle registrations in 2021

Washington state is second in the nation in terms of electric vehicle (EVs) market share, with more than 28 EVs per 1,000 registered vehicles. Washington state had 87,685 EV registrations as of December 31, 2021. This is roughly a 39% increase in EV registrations from 63,259 in 2020 and a 192% increase from 30,025 in 2017.

The total EV count in Washington for 2021 included 64,647 battery electric vehicles (BEVs). and 23,038 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Washington has maintained a ratio of approximately two BEVs for every PHEV since 2015

2020

Washington sees approximately 19% increase in electric vehicle registrations in 2020

Washington state is second in the nation in terms of electric vehicle (EV) market share, with more than 28 EVs per 1,000 registered vehicles. Washington state had 63,259 EV registrations as of December 31, 2020. This is approximately a 19% increase in EV registrations from 53,307 in 2019 and a 188% increase from 21,997 in 2016.

The total EV count in Washington includes 45,292 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and 17,967 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Washington has maintained a ratio of approximately two BEVs for every PHEV since 2015.

2019

State exceeds Results Washington goal of registering 50,000 electric vehicles

Washington state had 53,307 plug-in electric vehicle registrations (EVs) as of December 31, 2019, surpassing Gov. Jay Inslee's Results Washington goal of 50,000 registered EVs by 2020. This is a 24% increase in EV registrations from 42,878 in 2018 and a 222% increase from 16,579 in 2015. Washington state is second in the nation in terms of EV market share, with more than 26 EVs per 1,000 registered vehicles.

The total EV count in Washington includes 36,129 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and 17,178 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Washington has maintained a ratio of approximately two BEVs for every PHEV since 2015. For a county by county perspective, increased EV adoption is expected to help the state progress toward its goals of reducing greenhouse gases, protecting public health and the environment, and promoting economic growth.