Passenger Vehicles
Passenger vehicles include cars, light trucks (pickups) and SUVs. Technology advancements in passenger vehicles include both fuel-efficient and electric options. Both present an opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Passenger vehicles: emissions reduction vision
By 2050, 95% of registered passenger vehicles in Oregon will be electric. A 2019 Oregon law set a more detailed vision:
By 2020, register 50,000 EVs in Oregon (or about 1-2% of total registered vehicles).
By 2025, register 250,000 EVs in Oregon.
By 2030, at least 25% of registered vehicles, and 50% of new vehicles purchased, will be EVs.
By 2035, 90% of new vehicles sold annually will be EVs.
By 2050, increase the fuel efficiency of traditional gasoline passenger vehicles to at least 60 miles per gallon (or to 100 MPGe equivalent when adding in electric vehicles).
How Oregon is doing:
Passenger vehicles are a complex topic with many factors. State agencies use several subcategories under “passenger vehicles” to help people understand the details.
SUV and truck share
SUVs and light trucks (pickups) are popular in Oregon; they make up more than half of registered passenger vehicles in the state, and that share is growing. This is a problem because trucks are larger and tend to be less fuel efficient than other passenger vehicles. Additionally, electric options for light trucks aren’t as common as sedans and crossovers, although several new EV light truck options are on the horizon.
Vehicle mix
As of September 2023, Oregon had about 80,000 registered electric vehicles, which is about 2.2% of the total registered passenger vehicles in Oregon. In 2022, Oregon averaged about 1,000 new net registrations of electric vehicles per month.
Oregon may be on the cusp of many more EVs on our roads. In late 2022 the Department of Environmental Quality adopted the Advanced Clean Cars II law that will require all new cars, trucks and SUVs sold in Oregon to be zero emission by 2035. The law also incentivizes manufacturers and dealerships to increase access and affordability of electric vehicles in disadvantaged communities.
State and federal regulations and purchase incentives have helped Oregonians to adopt electric vehicles, both new and used. Vehicle manufacturers have also announced many new types of EVs. Some manufacturers have pledged to only sell EV models by the mid-2030s.
Fuel efficiency
Engines that use gas or diesel are more fuel efficient than ever: 22.5 miles per gallon average of registered passenger vehicles in 2023 (not including electric vehicles). This is thanks to Federal CAFÉ regulations negotiated with car manufactures.
However, given that Oregonians buy more used cars than new ones, the state is still several years out from a used market with many high mile per gallon (gasoline or electric) engine options.
Battery range
The typical battery range of electric vehicles today are 100 to 250 miles, and that mileage is growing each year as battery technology matures. Battery range is approaching the distance of a tank of gas in many passenger vehicles, which may cause more people to consider an EV for their next vehicle.
The Oregon Department of Transportation is also investing heavily in EV charging infrastructure. This includes building out a statewide network of fast-charging stations on Oregon’s major roads. Until battery range increases, more (and more reliable) chargers will help reduce range anxiety. (Learn more on the Electric Vehicle Charging page.)
Vehicle age
Oregonians keep their cars an average of 13 years as of 2023, which is longer than other state averages. This means Oregon will have more gas- and diesel-powered vehicles on our roads into the near future.
How Oregon can improve:
State government can improve adoption rates of electric vehicles and high miles per gallon gas/diesel vehicles by being a resource for businesses and buyers, and using data to inform future laws and policies.
Use data to help state and federal policymakers create laws that target greenhouse gas emission reduction and regulate vehicle manufacturers.
Use regulatory tools like Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's Clean Car Standards, that mandates auto manufacturers bring more electric vehicles into the state, with 100% of state passenger vehicle sales being electric starting in 2035.
Support more passenger EVs on Oregon’s roads by partnering with private industry to build more public EV charging infrastructure; see the Fuel Technology page for more information.
Get more EVs on our roads by building consumer confidence through education:
Advocate for more funding for targeted state/federal EV incentive programs like the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate program, the federal tax credit on an EV purchases, and other in-state charging rebate programs.
Work with communities to understand electric micromobility needs (e.g. electric bikes and scooters), create e-micromobility incentive programs, and partner with industry to provide public charger support.
State government can also continue to work with regional partners in the EV space. Two recent examples are Oregon’s commitment to California’s Low Emission Vehicle program and support of the plan to expand the federal CAFE standards.
Ultimately, given that people hold onto their vehicles for over 10 years, experts predict that as many as 50% of Oregon’s passenger vehicles will still run on fossil fuels through 2035. Fuel costs, vehicle costs and availability, and the health of the national economy will also affect progress on low emission vehicle adoption.