Senator Brad Hawkins on Monday (8th Dec) took the first step to help accelerate the adoption of hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in Washington state.
Hawkins prefiled a bill for the 2021 legislative session to establish an eight-year statewide pilot project for a reduction of sales tax on purchases of FCEVs.
Hawkins’ proposal, Senate Bill 5000, eligible for legislative consideration in January, aims to extend a similar exemption in vehicle sales tax that purchasers of electric vehicles receive.
With the first hydrogen fuelling stations in Washington state expected to be operational by 2022, the bill would allow a total of 650 vehicles to receive a 50% sales tax exemption in fiscal years 2023 through 2029.
The bill so far has gained commitments of bipartisan support from nearly 20 co-sponsors.
“The people of North Central Washington have been leaders in clean energy for decades and new state efforts to promote renewable hydrogen and zero-emissions vehicles will help us continue our innovative work,” Hawkins said.
Hydrogen can be created from a process that separates the hydrogen and oxygen molecules in water.
The Douglas County PUD in Hawkins’ district plans to utilise its surplus hydropower to do just that, creating renewable hydrogen from excess renewable hydropower and possibly also building hydrogen fuelling stations.
Hawkins mentions that his bill would help establish important parity between FCEVs and traditional plug-in electrics.
“In our efforts to promote carbon-free vehicles, our state policies should be ‘technologically neutral’ so that we can give ourselves varied opportunities to reduce emissions and not unintentionally bias ourselves in the process,” Hawkins said.
“Similar to diesel and gas, maybe there will always be multiple fuel sources for next-generation cars or maybe someday hydrogen vehicles will be the preferred choice.”
© Toyota
The lead co-sponsor of the bill is 40th District Sen. Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes). Supporters of the bill include Douglas County PUD, Renewable Hydrogen Alliance, Western States Hydrogen Alliance, and Toyota.
“The Renewable Hydrogen Alliance is proud to support the expansion of clean vehicle incentives to fuel cell electric cars just as Washington begins creating clean hydrogen from the state’s ample supply of renewable electricity,” Ken Dragoon, Executive Director of the Renewable Hydrogen Alliance, commented.
Roxana Bekemohammadi, Executive Director of the Western States Hydrogen Alliance, added, “Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will be critical to the future of a decarbonised transportation sector.”
“This bill is a meaningful step to ensuring the state incentivises a portfolio approach to electrifying Washington’s transportation sector. WSHA could not be more pleased to support Senator Hawkins in this effort.”
Doug Murtha, Group Vice-President of Corporate Strategy and Planning at Toyota Motor North America, said, “Senator Hawkins’ pilot incentive program is an important first step to help accelerate the adoption of hydrogen, fuel cell and electrification accessibility in Washington state.”
“Paving the way for emissions-free technologies will further generate awareness, interest and acceptance in communities seeking cleaner options.”