RCW 43.325.080 requires the department to specify how local government efforts to meet the goals set forth in RCW 43.19.648(2) will be evaluated. While local governments are responsible for determining the most effective means of displacing their gasoline and diesel consumption through vehicle electrification and biofuel use, procurement decisions should be guided primarily through a comparison of alternatives on a lifecycle cost basis. The department will provide an analytical tool to assist local governments in their assessment of lifecycle costs. Local governments may use alternate means of determining lifecycle costs so long as all the variables included in the department's analytical tool are taken into consideration.

Local governments must consider the following criteria in determining whether they have, to the extent practicable, satisfied one hundred percent of fuel usage for operating vehicles, vessels and construction equipment from electricity or biofuel, effective June 1, 2018:

(1) Vehicles.

(a) It is considered practicable to procure an electric or hybrid electric vehicle when the following criteria are met: A vehicle is available that meets operational needs, charging requirements can be met during routine use or through fleet management strategies, and the lifecycle cost is equal to or less than the lifecycle cost of the vehicle the local government would otherwise procure.

(b) If the criteria in (a) cannot be met, it is considered practicable to procure or convert a vehicle to be fueled in whole or in part by natural gas or propane when the lifecycle cost is equal to or less than the lifecycle cost of the vehicle the local government would otherwise procure.

(c) When making procurement decisions involving vehicles with diesel engines, it is considered practicable for local governments to select vehicles with engine warranties that provide for the highest level of biodiesel use.

(d) When making procurement decisions involving vehicles with gasoline engines, local governments are encouraged to lease vehicles in order to take advantage of new alternative fuel and vehicle technologies in a timely manner.

(2) Biofuels.

(a) Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel. Unless otherwise limited by law, it is considered practicable for local governments to:

(i) Use five percent biodiesel-blended fuel (B5) in all applications when the fuel is available at retail or for delivery to on-site storage tanks at a price no more than one percent higher than #2 ultra-low sulfur diesel.

(ii) Use biodiesel-blended fuels containing more than five percent biodiesel in all applications unless otherwise restricted by warranty or air quality regulation when the fuel is available for delivery to on-site storage tanks at a price no more than one percent higher than #2 ultra-low sulfur diesel, including the cost of any additives necessary to ensure reliable storage and performance.

(iii) Use renewable diesel, or the highest available blend of renewable diesel and #2 ultra-low sulfur diesel, when the fuel is available at retail or for delivery to on-site storage tanks at a price no more than one percent higher than #2 ultra-low sulfur diesel.

(b) Ethanol. It is considered practicable for local governments with vehicles capable of using high-level blends of ethanol and gasoline (flex-fuel) to make good faith efforts to identify sources and use flex-fuel when the fuel is available at retail or for delivery to on-site storage tanks at a price that is at least twenty percent less than regular gasoline.

(c) Renewable Natural Gas. It is considered practicable for local governments with natural gas-fueled vehicles to use renewable natural gas, or the highest available blend of renewable and conventional natural gas, when the fuel is available at retail or for delivery to on-site storage tanks at a price equal to or less than conventional natural gas.

(d) Renewable Propane. It is considered practicable for local governments with propane-fueled vehicles to use renewable propane, or the highest available blend of renewable and conventional propane, when the fuel is available at retail or for delivery to on-site storage tanks at a price equal to or less than conventional propane.

(3) Local governments are encouraged to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure in all fleet parking and maintenance facilities, and to incorporate charging into all new facility construction and substantial remodeling projects.