Senator Brad Hawkins on Monday (8th Dec) took the first step to help accelerate the adoption of hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in Washington state.

Hawkins prefiled a bill for the 2021 legislative session to establish an eight-year statewide pilot project for a reduction of sales tax on purchases of FCEVs.

Hawkins’ proposal, Senate Bill 5000, eligible for legislative consideration in January, aims to extend a similar exemption in vehicle sales tax that purchasers of electric vehicles receive.

With the first hydrogen fuelling stations in Washington state expected to be operational by 2022, the bill would allow a total of 650 vehicles to receive a 50% sales tax exemption in fiscal years 2023 through 2029.