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
Oregon is leading the way in electric car infrastructure, making charging easy and affordable. Whether you’re at home, work, or road-tripping through the Pacific Northwest, going electric is a breeze. Charging your EV is as simple as charging your phone, with plenty of options available. Plus, electric vehicles reduce air and noise pollution, save on fuel costs, and offer convenient charging.
CHARGING AT HOME
- Parking location
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- Will you be charging inside a garage? Or outside on a street? If outside, make sure whatever unit you choose is waterproof so it can survive the seasons.
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- Cable length
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- Getting an 18ft long charging cable is recommended for ease and accessibility.
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- Type of charging station (permanent or portable) Permanent stations offer cleaner installations and lower theft risk, while portable options are more suitable for travel
- Hard-wired & Permanently Mounted
- Charging station is connected directly to the electric panel with a wire
- Electrician support required
- Installation is often cleaner & best for 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
- Hard-wired & Permanently Mounted
HOW TO CHARGE AN ELECTRIC CAR AT YOUR APARTMENT
Ideally, your apartment building has chargers available. If not, find a nearby DC Fast Charging station or use a heavy-duty extension cord from your apartment. You can also talk to your landlord about installing EV chargers—it benefits both tenants and management!
Average Cost of Installing Home Electric Car Chargers
Home charging, whether Level 1 or Level 2, is usually cheaper than public charging. Level 2 stations cost between $300 and $1,000 plus installation. Oregon’s PGE Residential EV Charging Pilot Program offers rebates of up to $500 for approved Level 2 chargers.
The Different Types of Charges:
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
Pro Tip: Consider charging your EV during off peak hours (9 p.m. to 5 a.m.) to help reduce strain on the grid and keep energy more reliable and sustainable.
Electric Vehicle Range: How far can my charge take me?
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 IS ELECTRIC FUEL?
“Electric Fuel” powers your home, workplace, and even your favorite movie theater. But it can also get you from point A to point B. Why is electric fuel so cool?
- Quiet & Clean: With zero tailpipe emissions, it helps improve air quality and reduce noise pollution.
- Cost Effective: Fueling an electric car is cheaper than gas, and electric cars require almost no maintenance—no more oil changes or expensive parts.
- Widely Available: Charge at home, work, or public stations. No more trips to the gas station; just plug in and go!
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. Every car charging station will display their cost of charging. You can also plan ahead by using the most popular charging station apps like Chargeway and Plugshare.
How to Calculate the Average Cost to Charge your Electric Vehicle at Home
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- Find your EV’s Energy Usage: Determine the kilowatt-hours per 100 miles (kWh/100 miles) for your vehicle. This can be found in the vehicle’s specifications or online.
- Check Your Electricity Rate: Review your electric bill to find the cost per kWh.
- Calculate the Cost: Multiply your EV’s kWh/100 miles by your electricity rate to find out how much it costs to drive 100 miles.
AVG Charging Cost = Your EV’s kWh/100 X Electricity Rate
For example, if your EV consumes 25 kWh per 100 miles and your electricity rate is $0.15 per kWh, the cost to charge your EV for 100 miles would be 25 x $0.15 = $3.75.
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
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
