Oregonians will soon be able to “recharge where we recharge”

The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department is taking an exciting step to increase charging infrastructure in some of the most remote parts of the state. Last week, the department announced the launch of its Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS) Pilot Project, which is set to place electric vehicle charging stations in 17 parks across the state starting in May 2022. 

This project is being funded by the nonprofit, Adopt-a-Charger, which is donating the chargers (level 2), as well as subsidizing the stations’ public charging for three years post-installation. The 17 proposed parks (listed below) were chosen based on visitor use, location accessibility, power availability and ecological and cultural protections. 

Millions of people visit Oregon’s spectacular and iconic parks each year. To ensure wild places stay protected from air pollution and a rapidly changing climate, it is imperative that we address the state’s largest source of emissions —transportation — by moving from gas-powered vehicles to an 100% electric fleet. 

By implementing charging stations in our state parks, the Oregon Parks Department is taking a major step in allowing outdoors-loving Oregonians to leave gas-guzzling cars in the rearview mirror. 

We look forward to working with the Oregon Parks Department during this project, and are hoping to see the project expand past the pilot phase.

Below are the currently proposed state parks list. Please see the Oregon Parks Department website for more information on the project.

• Fort Stevens – South Lake
• Bob Straub
• Cape Lookout
• Shore Acres
• Stub Stewart
• Banks-Vernonia Trail – Banks Trailhead
• Rooster Rock
• Silver Falls
• The Cove Palisades
• Prineville
• Smith Rock
• Farewell Bend
• Lowell
• Washburne
• Port Orford
• Ophir
• Tugman

 
Photo by geralt via pixabay