Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

Clean School Bus Grants

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality must use funds awarded to Oregon through the Volkswagen (VW) Environmental Mitigation Trust and deposited in the Clean Diesel Engine Fund, to award grants to owners and operators of at least 450 school buses powered by diesel engines. Eligible vehicles include buses that have at least three years of remaining useful life. Grants will be available for 30%, up to $50,000, for the purchase of a new bus or up to 100% of the cost to retrofit a school bus with emissions-reducing parts or technology that reduce diesel particulate matter emissions by at least 85%. Any money not expended under this Clean Diesel Engine Fund will fund grants for the reduction of diesel engine emissions as matching funds under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act program. For more information, see the VW Settlement website.

(Reference Oklahoma Revised Statutes 468A.795-468A.803)

Oregon's National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Planning

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) NEVI Formula Program requires the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to submit an annual EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan (Plan) to the DOT and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) beginning August 1, 2022, describing how the state intends to distribute NEVI funds. The submitted plan must be established according to NEVI guidance.

For more information about Oregon’s NEVI planning process, see the ODOT Oregon’s Five-year EV Charging Infrastructure Roadmap website. To review Oregon’s NEVI plan, see the Joint Office State Plans for EV Charging website.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Technology Grant – Pacific Power

Pacific Power offers grants to commercial customers for transportation electrification projects in underserved communities. Funding awards may cover up to 100% of the eligible project costs. For more information, including program guidelines and deadlines, see the Pacific Power Grant Opportunities website.

Community Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Grant

The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) administers the Community Renewable Energy Grant Program, which offers grants to tribal entities, local governments, port and irrigation districts, and consumer-owned utilities to plan and develop community renewable energy and energy resilience projects. Eligible projects include publicly accessible EV charging stations. Grant amounts vary and may cover up to 100% of total project costs. Half of program funds must be awarded to low-income, underserved, or rural communities. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. For more information, see the ODOE Community Renewable Energy Grant Program website.

Electric Vehicle (EV) and Infrastructure Grants – Portland General Electric (PGE)

PGE offers grants of up to $750,000 for the purchase of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty EVs and EV charging stations through the Drive Change Fund. Education outreach programs and projects that accelerate the adoption and awareness of transportation electrification may also receive funding. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, businesses, or government entities. For more information, including how to apply, see the PGE Drive Change Fund website.