Finding a fast charger in Oregon could soon get a lot easier.
State transportation officials plan to build 24 new public fast-charging stations over the next few years, adding 126 high-speed charging ports along major travel routes across Oregon, including several locations in Central Oregon.
For drivers, it’s a step toward making longer EV trips feel less uncertain.
The expansion is backed by $16.7 million in federal funding, awarded to seven private charging companies as part of the second round of grants under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, according to KTVZ21. Those companies will build, own, and maintain the stations, while also covering at least 20% of the project costs and submitting five-year maintenance plans.
Some of the new stations are planned for familiar stops in Central Oregon, including Bend, Sisters, Prineville, and Madras. Across the state, the chargers will be placed along well-traveled corridors like Interstate 84 and U.S. Highways 20, 26, 97, and 101—routes where drivers are most likely to need a reliable place to plug in.
Each site will include at least four fast-charging ports, with some offering up to eight. And these aren’t slow chargers. DC fast chargers can power many vehicles from about 10% to 80% in roughly 30 minutes, making it possible to recharge during a quick stop for food or errands. That’s intentional: stations are being located near restaurants, shopping, and other everyday amenities.
The funding comes from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, part of a nationwide push to build a more connected EV charging network. Oregon is expected to receive $52 million over five years through the program. By law, that money is set aside specifically for EV infrastructure and can’t be used for other transportation needs like road or bridge repairs.
This latest round is just one piece of a larger rollout. Another round of grants is expected later this summer, with a focus on filling gaps in more rural areas of the state, including stretches of Interstate 82 and highways in southern and eastern Oregon.
State officials are expected to finalize agreements with the selected companies in the coming months, and some of the new stations could be up and running within 12 to 18 months.
For EV drivers, the impact is straightforward: fewer detours, shorter charging stops, and a little more confidence before heading out on a long drive.
Source: KTVZ21
