OLYMPIA — Even with gas prices hovering around $2 per gallon, Washington state lawmakers are considering a raft of bills to encourage more drivers to turn to electric cars in the name of reducing pollution.

Plug-in-and-charge autos are gaining popularity in the state. Washington records show there were nearly 12,000 registered electric cars by the end of last year.

But with the state’s 450 car-charging stations mostly clustered around the Puget Sound region — there are none along Interstate 90 east of Cle Elum — Gov. Jay Inslee and some members of the House and Senate are pushing new laws that would make driving electric cars more convenient, albeit somewhat more expensive to buy and own.

State Sen. Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah, told the Senate Transportation committee Wednesday afternoon the electric-car market hasn’t yet matured to the point at which most drivers of gas-burning cars can find a high-range, low-cost car to switch to. Demand, with an assist from the state, could fix that, with benefits for the environment, he said.

“This is exciting new technology,” said Mullet, who is sponsoring an electric-car bill. “If you find a way to promote this technology, you will reduce carbon emissions in the state of Washington without having to resort to a tax.”