Washington to spend $1 million on electric-vehicle charging stations

SEATTLE – The state of Washington will spend $1 million to help construct 15 new charging stations for electric vehicles on some of the busiest highways.

The Seattle Times reported Thursday the charging stations will be along Interstate 5 between Everett and Chehalis; along Interstate 90 east of Snoqualmie Pass, and along interstates 82 and 182, and Highway 395 to connect the Tri-Cities with I-90.

In the Puget Sound region, new charging stations will be in Lacey, Tacoma, Federal Way, SeaTac and Everett.

The $150 annual registration fees on electric cars will fund the project.

The money will be matched by about $1.5 million in private spending to build the charging stations.

Gov. Jay Inslee announced the funding, calling the project an exciting step in efforts to provide drivers cleaner transportation options.

The charging stations are expected to be completed by June 2019.