(1) By December 31, 2015, the state must, to the extent practicable, install electrical outlets capable of charging electric vehicles in each state-operated highway rest stop.

     (2) By December 31, 2015, the state must provide the opportunity to lease space for the limited purpose of installing and operating a battery exchange station or a battery charging station in appropriate state-owned highway rest stops.

     (3) The department of transportation's obligations under this section are subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for the specific purpose identified in this section, unless the department receives federal or private funds for the specific purpose identified in this section.

     (4) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

     (a) "Battery charging station" means an electrical component assembly or cluster of component assemblies designed specifically to charge batteries within electric vehicles, which meet or exceed any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.

     (b) "Battery exchange station" means a fully automated facility that will enable an electric vehicle with a swappable battery to enter a drive lane and exchange the depleted battery with a fully charged battery through a fully automated process, which meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.

[2009 c 459 § 15.]

NOTES:

     Finding -- Purpose -- 2009 c 459: See note following RCW 47.80.090.

Regional transportation planning organizations -- Electric vehicle infrastructure: RCW 47.80.090.