King County receives $6 million grant to expand EV charging network

Credit: King County Metro

King County Executive Dow Constantine has announced a $6 million grant from the state Department of Commerce to enhance access to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the county.

The funding, awarded as part of the state’s Climate Commitment Act, will be utilised to install over 400 new charging ports at various locations throughout King County. These include community centres, fire stations, residential buildings, retail centres and King County Metro bus bases, thus significantly increasing the county’s electric vehicle charging network.

Executive Constantine emphasised the county’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and highlighted the growing adoption of zero-emission vehicles within the agency’s own fleet, stating, “We’re taking action to cut greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. In addition to transitioning King County’s own fleet to zero-emission vehicles, we’re installing more EV charging ports at county facilities and collaborating with community partners to provide more public EV charging countywide.”

King County Metro’s vision for a sustainable, inclusive and innovative commuting experience

The awarded funds will support charging infrastructure at 55 locations across the county, including King County’s fleet charging sites, multi-family residential buildings and publicly accessible locations in areas like Shoreline, Bothell, Kent and Renton. This initiative aligns with the state’s broader efforts to create jobs, reduce costs and combat climate change through innovative programmes like the cap-and-invest model.

The agency is currently on track to achieve a 100% zero-emissions bus fleet by 2035, with ground-breaking already underway for the county’s first all-electric bus base. Similarly, the Solid Waste Division operates a pioneering battery-electric heavy-duty truck, while King County International Airport leads as the first U.S. airport with a fully electric sweeper and soon, a hybrid electric fire truck.

“This grant underscores our commitment to a sustainable future,” said King County Metro General Manager Michelle Allison. “By building our first-ever all-electric bus base and upgrading our fleet, we’re setting a strong pace towards our zero-emission goals.”