Charging

"Keeping it charged and running out of power was our biggest fear, and we've never even come close."

How to Charge Electric Cars, Trucks & SUVs

With over 1,600 public charging stations, Oregon is leading the charge when it comes to building an electric car infrastructure. As the shift towards using electricity as fuel continues, the accessibility and affordability of powering up at home, at work, and on the road is ever-expanding. With the right information and state-lead initiatives, choosing electric is easy. Charging up the battery of an electric vehicle (EV) isn’t that different from charging your phone because it relies on the same juice that powers the rest of your life. Similarly to laptops or smart watches, there are a variety of charging types and speeds.

WHAT IS ELECTRIC FUEL?

“Electric Fuel” is the electricity that runs your home, your workplace, and even your favorite movie theater, but it can also be used to get you from point A to point B. Why exactly is electric fuel so cool?

It’s quiet & clean. With zero tailpipe emissions, you can help improve air quality and noise pollution locally and globally.
It can save you money. Fueling an electric car costs much less than a traditional one, no matter what the gas prices are. Electric cars also require almost zero maintenance, so forget oil changes and expensive replacement parts.
It’s available everywhere. What’s more convenient than being able to charge at home or at work? Ditch the gas station trips by plugging in when you park. And when you’re on the road or cruising around town, public charging is readily available to keep you moving.

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGERS

There are a few types of EV chargers that vary based on what car you own, how quickly you want a full battery, and how much you drive every day.

Level One:
Standard AC Charging

Standard Plug-In: House or garage with outdoor electricity access.
Outlet Type: Standard 120V
Full Charge Time: Overnight
Charge Per Hour: ~7-8 miles
Average Miles Driven Per Day: < 20

Level Two:
Full Power AC Charging

Standard Plug-In: House or garage with outdoor electricity access & Public
Outlet Type: 240V Electrical Circuits
Full Charge Time: 2-5 hours
Charge Per Hour: ~10-26 miles
Average Miles Driven Per Day: < 50 – 75

Level Three:
DC Fast Charging

Standard Plug-In: Public
Outlet Type: 480V Electrical Circuits
Full Charge Time: Full charge in 1 hour
Charge Per Hour: 80% in ~30 minutes
Average Miles Driven Per Day: < 100

Electric Vehicle Range: How far can my charge take me?

In order to plan your daily routes and big adventures, it’s important to understand how long it takes your car to charge and how far that charge will take you. Every electric car varies when it comes to charge ranges but the average spans from 190 to 250 miles. Once you’re on the road, EV charging stations make it easy to maintain a strong charge and stretch that range as far as you need it to go.

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

Accessible, affordable public fueling stations for electric vehicles are at your fingertips across the entire state of Oregon and the infrastructure is only expanding. With a wide range of fueling station locations, options and costs, driving electric can fit seamlessly into your life.

What are EV Charging Stations?

EV fueling stations are a reliable network of charging facilities that keep electric cars going so you can do more exploring. With upwards of 1,600 public charging stations across Oregon plus the boost of residential or home charging, the adventures are endless.

Tips for Public Stations:

Plan before you go
Have a credit card handy for associated fees
Join a network
- Charging plans for frequent users
- Membership cards
- Download the associated app
Make sure your charger cord is long enough to reach from various angles

Electric Car Charging Station Cost in Oregon

Similar to gas stations, electric car charging station costs vary based on the equipment vendor as well as the service types. For example, some stations may charge you for the amount of time you’re connected whereas others use a flat fee or monthly subscription service for unlimited use.

How to find electric vehicle charging stations

Charging stations can be anywhere – at grocery stores and shopping centers, and even your workplace. Plus, some charging stations can sync with your car and phone so you can control when charging occurs.

Oregon Electric Byways: Oregon is home to one of the largest and most robust networks of electric vehicle charging stations in the US, making it the ideal destination for planet-friendly road trips. Explore the byways and start planning your next adventure.

Find EV Charging Stations

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Having an Electric Car
Charger for Your Home

Home looks different to everyone. Whether you live in a house, a condo or an apartment, owning an EV can be accessible. If you’re able to charge at home, you can wake up with a full tank by plugging the provided cord into a regular wall outlet. If you can’t, public stations make it easy and convenient to stay charged.

Installing an electric
vehicle charging station

For those who live somewhere with easy access to electricity outside or in a garage, home charging is the most convenient and affordable way to charge an electric car. Don’t worry – setting it up is easy. There are a few important factors to consider:

Do you park inside or outside? If you’re outside, make sure whatever unit you choose is weatherproof so it can survive the seasons.
Getting an 18ft+ long charging cable is recommended for ease and accessibility.
Explore the differences between permanent and portable home charging stations:

-Hard-wired & Permanently Mounted:

- Charging station is connected directly to the electric panel with a wire
  - Electrician support required
- Installation is often cleaner & best flor a stay-at-home lifestyle
  - Lower risk of being stolen

-Portable:

- Hangs on the wall & plugs into a 240-volt receptible
- Usually comes with a NEMA 14-50P (common outlet for electric stoves) or a NEMA 6-50P (common outlet for welder plugs)
- Great for those who travel longer distance

Average Cost To Charge Electric Cars At Home

In almost all cases, Level 1 or 2 home charging is cheaper than public charging. For Level 1 charging, no installation is needed because standard wall outlets can be used. The Level 2 and above stations typically cost between $300 – 1000 plus installation, but keep rebates in mind. With programs like PGE’s Residential EV Charging Pilot Program, you could receive a rebate of up to $500 when you install an approved Level 2 charger. Curious about crunching the numbers? Check out PGE’s home charging calculator.

when is the best time to charge
an electric car at home?

Most people plug their EV battery in at night so it charges while they sleep, which is ideal but make sure you don’t leave it on for too long as charging to 100% for daily use is not recommended. Smart home charging stations are helpful for that reason because you can control them remotely via WiFi or Bluetooth.

How to charge an electric car
at your apartment

Ideally, your apartment building has chargers readily available for you to use. But if it doesn’t, your best solution is to find a DC Fast Charging station nearby. Another option is to run a heavy-duty extension cord from your own apartment out to your car if you’re able to reach it. You can also chat to your landlord and ask if they’d be open to installing EV chargers as it benefits both tenants and management alike.

The Future of Electric
Charging Stations in Oregon

The shift towards electric vehicles isn’t just inevitable, it’s happening now. And with growing numbers of EVs on the road, it’s up to each state to continue to expand the electric fueling infrastructure.

Oregon is dedicated to increasing confidence in EV drivers by building more and more charging stations and resources throughout the state. Creating a sense of urgency surrounding the increased use of alternative fuels in the transportation sector is key to switching gears from cars being enemies of the planet to friends of it.

A Few Oregon-lead Initiatives to Expand the Charging Infrastructure:

Increase EVs in the State Fleet
Improved charging at State Buildings
Governor’s Award Program: A program that celebrates Oregonians who drive change with electric cars.
ODOTs Office of Innovative Funding participates in a number of collaborations to improve EV infrastructure in Oregon and accelerate adoption of electric cars

Charging

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