Electric Vehicle Charging
As Oregon transitions to more electric vehicles on our roads, it will have a significant, positive impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. Especially if those vehicles are charging on a low-emission electricity grid.
The majority of EV owners charge their cars, trucks or SUVs at home, using standard 110v or 240v outlets. But not all EV owners (or potential EV owners) have access to charging at home, like some people who live in apartment complexes.
Oregon will need plentiful public EV charging options, too. Public charging makes it easier for EVs to access more places and reduces range anxiety for drivers on long trips.
Oregon has a good idea of our future charging needs thanks to a 2022 study from the Oregon Department of Transportation. The study found that by 2030, Oregon will need more than nine times as many public DC fast-charging and Level 2 ports for electric cars, trucks, and SUVs than are in operation today. An EV charging station may have multiple charging ports.
Charging infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles
Larger electric vehicles like delivery vans and long-haul freight trucks are becoming more common and offer the same benefits as smaller EVs. These vehicles will also need a mix of private “at home” depot charging and public charging options.
Public charging options for these vehicles are critical. It extends delivery vans’ driving range, helps fleets who can’t invest in on-site charging, and supports long-haul trucking.
Electric vehicle charging: emissions reduction vision
Actuals: Alternative Fuels Data Center; December 31, 2025
Vision: 2024 refinements to ODOT's Transportation Electrification Infrastructure Needs Analysis, updated 2022. Vision reflects Oregon's Light-duty Zero Emission Vehicle goals per SB 1044, similar to those in Oregon's Advanced Clean Cars II regulations. Charging port needs reported elsewhere may differ, reflecting different total vehicle and electric vehicle sales scenarios.
Oregon’s EV charging network will have enough chargers to support the growing number of electric cars, trucks, SUVs, delivery vans and long-haul trucks.
Public EV chargers will be plentiful and easy to access at businesses, shopping areas, tourist destinations, freight routes, and other high-traffic public areas.
Public investment will supplement private investment in EV charging for both the general public and commercial fleet purposes, targeting rural and underserved areas.
Newly built residential buildings like apartments will include electrical capacity and wiring for EV charging.
How Oregon is doing
This action is identified as a high risk area that represents reversed progress from previous cycles. The loss of sustained funding for public EV chargers may slow EV adoption.
As of June 2026, Oregon had over 4,250 public EV charging ports statewide. ODOT is overseeing the development of over 2,200 state and federally-funded public charging ports for cars, pick-up trucks and SUVs. Follow progress on ODOT’s State of the System Dashboard.
These planned ports, together with charging ports in operation today, are a start towards our estimated vision needs for 2030: about 13% of the Level 2 ports and 18% of the DC-fast charging ports needed. Even with slowed vehicle electrification in our current trends forecast (see Vehicle Technology page for more information), current and planned ports are still short of future needs.
State and federal investments in public EV charging for cars, trucks and SUVs
Since 2020, Oregon has seen steady federal and state investment in public EV charging infrastructure for cars, trucks and SUVs.
Fast Charging investments on highways are coming from the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, securing $41.1 million in obligations. Level 2 and Fast Chargers are also coming from state and federally -funded Community Charging Rebates Program ($17 million) which focus on rural and disadvantaged communities. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality offers grants for incentivizing purchases of new and used zero emission vehicles, as well as supporting infrastructure for drivers and for commercial fleet vehicles of all sizes. These grants help private business and public entities transition to electric vehicles.
Federal funding is also bolstering public EV charging station reliability. In 2024, ODOT secured $10 million in federal grant funding to work with private companies to repair, upgrade and install more ports at broken EV charging stations throughout the state.
Private companies operating public stations make up the majority of Oregon’s public EV charging infrastructure. ODOT and DEQ do not own or operate public charging infrastructure. Over the next several years, improved technology standards, maintenance requirements, and greater interoperability across charging networks are expected to improve public charging station reliability and access.
An uncertain future
Despite the public and private investment gains in the first half of the 2020s, Oregon’s public charging station numbers remain below our estimated needs for car, truck and SUV charging. By 2030, we estimate Oregon will need nearly 40,000 public EV charging ports.
The future public funding and private investment for public EV charging projects is uncertain:
In spring 2026, the Oregon Legislature made a one-time funding reallocation to address the agency’s budget shortfall that reduced funding for EV charging rebates.
Many federal funding programs for EV charging infrastructure are one-time grants or will sunset before 2030.
It’s unclear if private investments in Oregon’s public EV charging network will continue at their current rate.
Charging infrastructure for other electric vehicles
The state also needs more charging infrastructure for other types of EVs like delivery vans and long-haul trucks, as well as smaller vehicles like e-scooters and e-bikes (see ODOT’s Electric Micromobility in Oregon Study).
Similar to home charging for passenger vehicles, much of commercial EV charging needs can be met by charging on-site at private fleet depots supplemented by public chargers.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is helping infrastructure deployment at fleet vehicle depots through their Diesel Emissions Mitigation grants and Zero-Emission Fueling Infrastructure grants.
As of 2026, there are only a handful of public charging ports in Oregon for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. DEQ and ODOT oversee federal and state funding for dozens of additional public charging ports along Interstate 5, Interstate 84 and elsewhere for these larger vehicles over the next several years. See the Lower Emission Fuels page for information about hydrogen fueling.
How Oregon can improve
The number of EVs on Oregon’s roads is expected to grow over the next two decades, and Oregon needs to keep up with that growth — and encourage an accelerated pace — through continued public investments in public charging infrastructure for cars, pick-up trucks, SUVs and heavy commercial vehicles. Public sector support that helps commercial operators build on-site fleet charging is also critical.
Maintaining our current work
As of 2026, hundreds of publicly funded charging station projects are underway throughout Oregon. To ensure they’re all completed, Oregon needs to help project managers navigate permitting, utility requirements, ownership, and maintenance.
State and local agencies can also continue collaborating on EV charging efforts through existing multi-agency partnerships.
Stable, long-term public funding programs
More and stable funding for existing programs that fund public charging and private on-site fleet charging is needed. EV charging companies, Oregon electric utilities, and public entities all need to continue investing. Novel sources like Oregon’s Energy Efficient Schools grant programs are examples for potential funding options.
Collaborations and Partnerships
Oregon state agencies need to build on their partnerships with private industry to reduce barriers and expand EV charging investments. One example of state-led coordination between utilities, fleets and charging providers is hosting capacity maps, like California’s electricity distribution portal that ensures utility grid plans match up with the energy needs of planned charging station locations.
State agencies can also use their data and expertise to share helpful information with electric utilities, like Opportunities to Manage Growing Electric Vehicle Loads on the Grid from the Oregon Department of Energy’s Biennial Zero Emission Vehicle Report.
The State can also facilitate technology coordination between utilities and EV owners. For example, time-of-use pricing programs can incentivize off-peak overnight vehicle charging with lower electricity rates. Bi-directional charging technologies can allow vehicles to serve as mobile power banks, providing backup power during emergencies and supporting a more flexible and efficient electricity grid. The state can continue to share tools and resources that support local governments in planning for public EV chargers in their communities. One example is ODOT’s Guide for Oregon EV Charging Deployment, which can help local governments understand best practices in design, location siting, cost estimates, and more. State and local agencies can also work to increase public awareness of new charging infrastructure.
We are also partnering to help commercial fleets. See our Transit and Delivery page for the new Oregon Electric Fleet Network establishing a collaborative forum to address the practical challenges of electric vehicle fleets, including charging.