Federal government approves Oregon's plan for EV charging station build out

Oregon and dozens of other U.S. states received federal approval last week to use federal funding to build out public electric vehicle charging infrastructure along major roads, bringing the country (and Oregon) a big step closer to a standardized EV fast charging network.

ODOT and partners will follow the approved Oregon National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan to complete fast charging networks along Interstates 5 and 205, and U.S. 97 starting in 2023.

In total, 11 new charging stations will be added, each with four DC Fast Chargers. The stations will be within one mile of an exit, and spaced 50 miles apart from other new or existing stations, as per federal requirements.

ODOT and partners have not determined the precise locations of the new stations, although the stations on I-5 will fill in gaps south of Eugene to the border with California. The agency is still developing contracts and plans to issue Request for Proposals by early spring 2023.

ODOT will have a total of $9.6 million for FY 2022-2023 to build out public EV charging ($7.7 million federal + 20% non-federal match) in partnership with private EV charging companies. This is the first round of federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocates $52 million, and requires a 20% non-federal match, for a total $65 million over five years to Oregon for public EV charging infrastructure.  

The federal government will require states to update their charging build-out plans each year to unlock that years’ round of funding.

Read more about the funding details and charging station design on ODOT’s five-year EV charging infrastructure roadmap webpage.

Send questions or comments about the plan, funding, or other ODOT Climate Office work to: Matt Noble, ODOT Communications, matt.a.noble@odot.oregon.gov or 503-779-9868.