Oregon No. 2 in US for share of new electric vehicles sold, ODOT reports – KTVZ

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon ended 2022 as second within the nation for share of latest automobiles offered which can be electrical — about 1,000 per thirty days — and is poised for extra EV success in 2023, the Oregon Division of Transportation reported Thursday.

Final yr noticed strong progress in EV possession: Oregon handed 50,000 complete registered EVs in Might, and elevated that quantity to about 57,700 as of September, the newest knowledge accessible. Month-to-month gross sales of EVs steadily rose all year long.

EV charging infrastructure additionally had a very good 2022. In Might, contractors accomplished the primary section of ODOT-funded upgrades to Oregon’s share of the West Coast Electrical Freeway. Upgrades to the quick charger community will wrap this yr with sooner charging choices, and three new stations.

These new stations will deliver Oregon’s public DC quick charger depend to almost 480, in accordance with the newest knowledge from the U.S. Division of Power. Public Stage 2 charging is much more plentiful at about 1,700 chargers statewide. On common, public EV charging infrastructure has grown 30% per yr since 2018.

Key to growing that infrastructure progress charge in 2023 can be funding chargers in areas and areas which have seen much less non-public funding, like multifamily properties, rural areas, and underserved communities.

In March of final yr, ODOT dedicated $100 million over 5 years for EV charging infrastructure to assist fill that hole. The combo of federal and state funding will construct extra DC quick chargers alongside Oregon’s highways and interstates, and assist Stage 2 charging tasks in communities all through the state.

The funding comes at a pivotal time for EVs in Oregon. New laws would require all new vehicles, vans and SUVs offered in Oregon to be zero emission by 2035. Different electrical mobility choices like e-bikes are experiencing speedy gross sales progress in Oregon and all through the nation.

“All the information says extra folks will select to journey by EV in 2023,” ODOT mentioned. “We’re prepared to fulfill that demand with infrastructure that’s equitable and accessible for all folks in Oregon.”