Oregon could see 500 new electric vehicle chargers with help from $15M award

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A handful of cities in Oregon will see new electric vehicle chargers thanks to a $15 million grant from the United States Department of Transportation.

The funding will provide up to 500 level 2 EV chargers, which Popular Mechanics describes as 240-volt "quick chargers," to 17 cities -- focusing on areas with multifamily buildings, officials announced in late August.

“This grant will help Portland and other local cities make significant strides on climate goals and support equitable access to EV infrastructure for all of our communities,” said Bureau of Planning and Sustainability Interim Director Eric Engstrom.

Cities receiving part of the funding include, Tualatin, Portland, Beaverton, Forest Grove, Gresham, Hillsboro, King City, Lake Oswego, McMinnville, Milwaukie, Newberg, Oregon City, Salem, Sherwood, Tigard, Woodburn and Wood Village.

Portland's Bureau of Planning and Sustainability noted no decisions have been made on how the money will be allocated for each jurisdiction.

Portland General Electric has also committed $200,000 from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Clean Fuels Program to help with the EV effort.

This marks the latest investment in EV chargers in Oregon, following a $10M award given to the Oregon Department of Transportation in January to repair and replace chargers across the state.

With Oregon being among the top seven states in the country with the most EV drivers, ODOT Director Kris Strickler previously said the $10 million would help the department work with the private sector to upgrade chargers -- calling it a "critical" step towards ensuring charger reliability and growth across the state.

Strickland furthered, “This will especially help EV drivers who may not have access to home charging and must completely rely on public charging to refuel their EVs."