Vehicles

Vehicle miles traveled are calculated using a city-specific yearly transportation model called the Bellevue-Redmond-Kirkland model. This model produces a rough estimate of the total miles driven in Bellevue. Every few years, Puget Sound Regional Council’s countywide model provides additional estimated information on the type of vehicles driven and the total emissions per vehicle mile traveled by each vehicle type. Both models together provide the total emissions number from vehicle traffic in Bellevue. Electric vehicles produce no direct emissions to the air and less pollution into the water ways than gasoline combustion engines. Because of the region’s cleaner power portfolio mix, indirect emissions (via electricity generation) are lower as well. In the Pacific Northwest, there has been a fairly high adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles which are a great help in reducing overall vehicle emissions. While electric vehicles are gaining popularity, there is still a long way to go.

What is the biggest contributor to vehicle emissions?

In Bellevue, the passenger vehicle is by far the largest contributor to vehicle-related greenhouse gas emissions released to the atmosphere.

GHG Emissions by Vehicle Type (MTCO2e) 2018

Are Bellevue residents driving less?

Vehicle miles traveled per resident are on a slight decline from 2011. This is likely due to people moving closer to work or working remotely, as well as taking alternative types of transportation.

Passenger Car VMT (mileage)

How much fuel are City-owned charging stations saving?

This chart shows the usage trends for city-owned charging stations. In 2014, a fee was added which caused a decline in usage. Additionally, privately-owned charging stations have been popping up allowing for more charging options throughout the city. Throughout the city there are over 175 EV charging stations available for public use. (Source: City of Bellevue)The city-owned stations are currently saving about 250 gallons a month. Over a year, that is equivalent to about 6.25 cars' worth of gasoline use. (Source: US DOE, 2015). There are currently 18 stations available for public use.

Monthly Gallons of Gasoline Saved by City-Owned EV Charging Stations

Greenhouse gas savings from use of City-owned charging stations

In King County there are 23,662 electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids registered in King County (as of December 2018). (Source: West Coast Green Highway)

Annual Emission Savings from City-Owned EV Charging Stations