Oregon will receive $52 million in funding from the recently passed federal infrastructure package to develop the state’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.
The total is part of the $1.2 billion the state is receiving for transportation funding.
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will receive federal guidelines in February on spending the funds. The department’s Climate Office said it believes the federal guidelines will instruct funding to be used on Alternative Fuel Corridors to add public EV charging and other alternative fuel infrastructure.
Oregon has seven corridors designated under the Federal Highway Administration’s program.
New EV registrations are on track to increase by about 70 percent this year compared to 2020, according to ODOT data.
The agency partnered with local firms to complete a future electrification-needs study examining Oregon’s EV charging needs over the next 15 years.
“With the study’s findings, we can be more strategic and keep up momentum on EV adoption rates,” Suzanne Carlson, ODOT Climate Office director, said. “Our role will be to make targeted state investments, secure more federal grant funding, and make sure public EV charging is equitable and practical.”
ODOT invested $4.1 million to support EV Charging Solutions’ upgrades earlier this year.