SPOKANE, Wash. — The state is preparing to launch an incentive program encouraging fleet and trucking businesses to switch to electric vehicles.
The program is called WAZIP, and their goals is to reduce emissions from diesel-powered vehicles while providing discounts to customers willing to transition to the cleaner alternatives.
The $126 million program receives funding through the Climate Commitment Act and plans to launch in April of this year.
One local company who uses multiple types of trucks for their moving service, say although the switch to EV fleets may be more helpful to the environment, it would cost a lot more to maintain, despite the voucher.
“I don’t believe the technology’s there yet for the type of trucking we do. Over the road trucking. We need a truck that will go 300 to 400 miles,” said Jeff Bosma, owner of Fast Way Freight Services.
Bosma’s concerns stem from previous experience with electric equipment. Years ago, the company purchased a fleet of electric forklifts but encountered repair issues, which eventually led the company to switch back to diesel powered one.
“There were some good things about them. They just weren’t ready to go yet for our type of freight that we moved here,” Bosma explained.
The company also points to additional challenges facing colder states when converting to electric vehicles, noting that battery percentage drops when temperatures fall, making electric vehicles less reliable during Washington’s winter months.
The Washington State Department of Transportation has yet to reveal how much businesses purchasing large EV trucks would save or receive by making the switch. The DOT plans to release those numbers in April when the program officially begins.
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