What to know now - June 2023
About the $100 million funding for EV charging
Alternative Fuel Corridors are roads approved by the FHWA on which states may use federal funding to build EV charging and other alternative fuel infrastructure. Oregon has 11 roads designated as "electric corridors" under the NEVI program: Interstates 5, 82, 84, 205 and 405; US Highways 20, 26, 95, 97 and 101; and OR Highway 42. ODOT may propose additional roads for designation over the next five years.
The remaining third of the money — $36 million — will be used to close EV infrastructure gaps beyond those 11 roads. More charging sites in rural and urban areas, underserved communities, and at apartment complexes will allow more Oregonians to charge where they live, work, and play.
The new
Community Charging Rebates Program, which debuted in June 2023, is the first ODOT-run program funded by the $36 million. Up to $7 million is dedicated to the program.
Public EV fast-charging stations along our highways: the Oregon Quad Pod
Public EV charging needs to be equitable, convenient and reliable, especially for EV drivers on longer trips.
The “Oregon Quad Pod” will fill that need. The Quad Pod will have Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC) which will be able to deliver a lot of power to your car in a short amount of time. Depending on the car type and how empty your battery is, charging up at a high-power DCFC to near-full capacity takes about 20 minutes.
Our plans for community engagement
To receive federal funds, Oregon must develop and follow a statewide plan for EV charging by working with the public, businesses, rural communities, tribes, utilities, and many others.
We’re committed to involving Oregon’s communities in our plans over the five-year funding timeline. As we get closer to each year in the process, we’ll update our timeline below with more details.
Timeline
2023
- January: ODOT published online open house designed to educate the public regarding the NEVI program and solicit feedback.
- February/March: ODOT hosted community meetings along the NEVI Year One roads.
- June: ODOT opened the solicitation process for NEVI projects and future medium- and heavy-duty zero emission vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure projects.
- Summer/Fall: ODOT will publish RFP's for the NEVI Year One roads.
- Fall: ODOT will evaluate proposals and issuenotices of intent to award contracts.
- Winter: ODOT and selected partners negotiate and finalize contracts.
- 2024: EV charger installation work begins along I-205, US 97, and I-5 South of Eugene.
The ODOT Climate Office would like your input to ensure the new EV charging stations are equitable and meet the needs of Oregon’s current and prospective EV drivers, businesses, and communities.
Take our quick survey
Start the survey by choosing which statement applies to you:
Use our interactive map
We have created an interactive map for you to show us where you’d like future EV charging stations. Click the map below to open a new browsing tab and place a pin on the map.
We will share your anonymous survey answers and map input with our private partners who are installing and operating the charging stations. The data will help them choose the best locations for the chargers, and give them insight into real-world experiences of people charging EVs in Oregon.
ODOT will also use the input to inform how we engage with various EV groups in the future.
We will share the results with the public summer 2023 on this webpage.
Resources
NEVI state plan information webinars archive
In 2022 we hosted two public webinars about our plans for the NEVI funding. Access the archived recordings and meeting slides below.
Note: some of the information in these webinars was based on draft rules provided by the Federal Highway Administration and may have changed in our final plan.
More information about the NEVI program
If you still have questions about the plan, our
FAQ document may help.
For a deep dive into the NEVI program rules, the Federal Highway Administration published their
minimum standards final rule in February 2023. They also have their own
FAQ document for common questions.
Why we’re investing in EV charging infrastructure
Electric vehicles that are partially or fully powered by electricity emit far fewer air pollutants than vehicles powered by gas or diesel. That is important because those pollutants, particularly greenhouse gas emissions, harm our health and make climate change worse.
In Oregon, transportation is responsible for about 40% of total greenhouse gas emissions. More EVs on our roads means fewer emissions, healthier communities, and a better future for Oregon and the planet.
That’s why ODOT is all in on EV charging infrastructure. People need equitable, convenient and reliable access to public EV chargers, and more public charging will help give travelers the confidence that an EV will get them where they need to go, just like a vehicle powered by gas or diesel.