Bellingham to Ban Internal Combustion Engines by 2035

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Internal combustion engines could be banned within Bellingham city limits by 2035, according to measures discussed by the Climate Action Plan Task Force on Oct. 2, 2019.

Two measures were discussed by the Climate Action Task Force that would ban the operation and sale of internal combustion engines (ICEs) by 2035. To achieve this, the task force said the city needs to encourage the use of electric vehicles (EVs) and modes of transportation that do not require a motor.

According to the Task Force, the use of ICEs contributes 32% of all greenhouse gases (GHGs) in Bellingham. Making the switch to EVs would lead to a 78% decrease in carbon emissions.

“We suggested joining forces with other Washington cities to develop a coalition of local governments asking the Washington state legislature to approve a phase-out of ICE sales statewide,” added Christine Grant, a member of the Task Force.

Rick Nicholson, a member of the Task Force, said there are multiple incentives to make the switch to greener modes of transportation. These include free parking for EVs, reduced costs of electric modes of transportation, more availability of charging stations, and having more/safer bike lanes. The measure to ban the sale of ICEs by 2035 states that the variety of EVs would increase as a result of ICEs not being allowed.

Clare Fogelsong works as a staff member and consultant for the Task Force and for Bellingham Public Works in Natural Resource Policy. Fogelsong said that other strategies and incentives to achieve this goal will vary depending on how the City Council handles the measures.

“A strategy that meets the 2035 renewable energy ambition expressed by Council may be different than one with a longer achievement date,” Fogelsong said. “Incentives included in most strategies would also likely be different depending on the endpoint.”

Nicholson stated that there is a divide between support for this project.

“Change is hard and can be scary,” Nicholson said. “Acknowledging people’s fears and concerns and addressing them as well as possible while maintaining the needed climate impact measures will be job one.”

The Task Force was created in 2018 to propose recommendations that parallel the goals of the city’s Climate Protection Action Plan to quickly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and convert to renewable energy.

These two measured were approved by the Task Force to be included in the final report to the City Council. The Council presentation will take place on Nov. 18, 2019 in Council Chambers at City Hall located at 210 Lottie Street in Bellingham.