Fossil fuels power more than 98% of the cars registered in Washington state. But sales of electric cars are on the rise. This year’s sales of battery-electric and plug-in hybrids amounted to 17,140 as of November 8th. That is more than three times the total number for 2016.

Big automakers have made a big choice in favor of electric vehicles. This has resulted in more than 30 models in Washington state this year, increasing range and reducing the time it takes to recharge batteries at quick-charge stations.

Tesla models make up 60% of the state’s electric car fleet, according to a database from the Washington state government. Several Tesla models offer the option of driving more than 300 miles between charges, or more than 600 miles for the Model S Long Range.

Other automakers have embarked on a historic departure from the internal combustion engine and are determined to secure shares in this new emerging market. The Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia Niro, Volvo XC40, Chevrolet Bolt and Volkswagen ID-4 are attracting great interest in the auto showrooms and helping to boost overall sales in Washington.

Many of these new electric models benefit from $ 2,500 to $ 7,500 in federal tax credits, which can cut their costs significantly for consumers.

There are also financial incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles at the level of the state of Washington. They include exemptions from the 6.5% retail sales and state use tax on up to $ 20,000 of a new electric car with a total sales price of up to $ 45,000. The exception is for the first $ 16,000 of a used vehicle up to $ 30,000 in value.

Electric cars also benefit from lower maintenance costs over their lifetime. And this year, the dollar savings from securing your fuel by charging at home have increased with the rise in gas prices.

The government’s efforts to get people to drive these cars have their roots in efforts to reduce pollution, including the greenhouse gas emissions that are driving climate change. With the current mix of power generation in Washington, an electric car owner tapping the state power grid is reducing the amount of CO2 emissions produced per kilometer by more than 88%, according to the US Department of Energy.

But electric cars still use a road system that requires a lot of maintenance.

Electric car owners who register vehicles in Washington are required to pay an annual fee of $ 225 in addition to the $ 30 registration fee that all vehicle owners pay.

These charges help pay for the roads and develop the charging system.

Many people have chosen to lease electric cars instead of buying them, only to trade them in for newer models with longer range after a few years. This has helped create a growing supply of older electric cars that may have a more modest range but can be bought at a much cheaper price.

For example, in the Seattle area last week, a 2013 Nissan Leaf with less than 60,000 miles went on sale for less than $ 7,000. This car has a range of up to 75 miles when new, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

“To be honest, the range of 70 miles is perfectly fine for everyday driving. We’ve never had a problem or a time when it wasn’t enough, ”said Matthew Metz, who owns a 2013 Nissan Leaf.