Investing in cleaner transportation

Improving air quality for people's health and the environment

Diesel-powered vehicles, vessels, and equipment emit nitrogen oxides, fine particles, greenhouse gases, and other air pollutants that hurt people's health and the environment. People who live near busy roads, ports, railways, and other major transportation routes are more likely to have health problems, such as persistent coughing, asthma, lung disease, and breathing issues.

Learn more about the health effects from diesel pollution and what you can do to protect yourself and your family.

Environmental justice and equity

The Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act requires us and our partners to identify and address environmental health disparities in overburdened communities and underserved populations. Our Office of Equity and Environmental Justice leads our strategy to reduce pollution and health disparities in communities most at risk.

We use the Washington Department of Health’s Washington Tracking Network (WTN) map to help us identify disproportionately-impacted areas and prioritize where to invest funds.

Learn more about the WTN tool below.

Clean transportation policy and coordination

Our clean transportation grants support projects that reduce pollution from diesel vehicles by replacing them with zero-emission vehicles. We focus our project funding on communities that are most effected by air pollution, and encourage buying and installing fueling infrastructure.

Statewide efforts — such as the Climate Commitment Act, the Clean Fuel Standard, and vehicle emissions standards — also support and encourage the transition to zero-emission transportation in Washington.

The Washington Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council (EV Council) was created in 2022 to help state agencies work together to speed up the use of electric vehicles and cut air pollution from transportation.