T3.2 Free EV parking *
Allow free parking for all electric vehicles at local government buildings and in city centers to encourage the adoption of all electric vehicles. Increase cost of parking for non‐EV vehicles.
In December 2018 there were 1,402 plug-in vehicles registered in the county. In the most recent census, the 108,000 households in the county said they had a total of 222,428 vehicles available to them, so plug-ins were about .06% of the total…
MRSC’s managing attorney has a post about the legal issues. RCW 43.01.250 specifically authorizes the state to purchase electric power for the purpose of charging electric vehicles at state office locations where the vehicles are used for state business, are commute vehicles, or are there to conduct business with the state.
There is free public charging at at least some local state buildings, like the Department of Ecology’s building off Martin Way, and the Department of Transportation building in Tumwater.
The charger at Olympia’s City Hall costs $1.00 minimum for the first hour. Additional time is slightly less than two cents per minute. Maximum charging duration: 3 hours.
There’s free charging at Lacey’s library and its City Hall. In fall 2020, Lacey plans to install 11 additional chargers – including others at the North Thurston Public School District Office, and the Lacey Community Center/Senior Center, apparently under PSE’s Up & Go program, though that’s advertised as providing rebates of up to 75% for home chargers. The City has five chargers for commuting employees.