Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

Alternative Fuel Loans

The Oregon Department of Energy administers the Small-Scale Local Energy Loan Program which offers low-interest loans for qualified projects. Eligible alternative fuel projects include fuel production facilities, dedicated feedstock production, fueling infrastructure, and fleet vehicles. Loan recipients must complete a loan application and pay a loan application fee. The Energy Loan Program is not currently accepting new loan applications (verified February 2020). For more information, including application forms and interest rate and fee information, see the Energy Loan Program website. (Reference Oregon Revised Statutes 470)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Acquisition and Fuel Use Requirements

All state agencies must purchase or lease zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), including all-electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, for at least 25% of new state light-duty vehicles to the maximum extent possible.

If ZEVs are not feasible, the state agency may purchase or lease AFVs and use alternative fuels to operate those vehicles, except in regions where it is not economically or logistically possible to fuel an AFV. Each state agency must develop and report a greenhouse gas reduction baseline and annual reduction targets to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS). Reports to DAS must include the number of purchases or leases of ZEVs, AFVs, and AFV conversions and the quantity of each type of alternative fuel used annually by state agency fleets. By September 15, 2020, DAS must develop a ZEV procurement plan to reduce costs for state agency ZEV purchases.

(Reference Executive Order 20-04, 2020, and Oregon Revised Statutes 283.327, 283.337, and 267.030)

Clean Transportation Fuel Standards

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) administers the Oregon Clean Fuels Program (Program), which requires fuel producers and importers to register, keep records of, and report the volumes and carbon intensities of the fuels they provide in Oregon. Phase 2 of the Program, implemented in 2016, requires fuel suppliers to reduce the carbon content of transportation fuels.

In 2020, a new goal was implemented to reduce the carbon content of transportation fuels by 20% below 2015 levels by 2030, and 25% below 2015 levels by 2035.

DEQ must conduct rulemaking for the Program to support greater plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) adoption. DEQ must also develop a method to aggregate and monetize all eligible PEV credits in the Program to assist in achieving the state goal of 50,000 registered PEVs in Oregon by 2020. For more information, see the DEQ Oregon Clean Fuels Program website.

(Reference Executive Order 20-04, 2020, Oregon Revised Statutes 468A.266, and Oregon Administrative Rules 340-253)

Public Utility Definition and Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Charging Rate Regulations

Regulated electric utility tariffs must explicitly permit customers to resell electricity for use as a motor fuel, as long as the entity is not considered a public utility as defined in Oregon Revised Statutes 757.005 and does not provide any utility service. Additionally, each regulated electric utility must provide customers with a choice of flat rate or time of use electricity rates specific to PEV owners. Finally, an investor-owned utility can own and operate PEV charging equipment using its own funds or petition the Oregon Public Utilities Commission for rate recovery. (Reference Public Utility Commission of Oregon Order No. 12-013, 2012)

State Agency Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Installation

State agencies may install publicly-accessible EVSE on their premises or contract with a vendor to do so. The Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS) will establish criteria to determine the appropriate number of locations for EVSE at each agency. A state agency may establish and adjust a uniform price for charging, provided that the price recovers, to the extent practicable, the cost of operating the EVSE and does not exceed 110% of the average market price for the use of public EVSE. DAS will report to the Legislative Assembly on the number, cost, and utilization of EVSE installed by state agencies by February 2019, February 2021, and February 2023.

DAS must add PEV charging capacity for employee and public visitor parking lots, develop contracts to procure and install charging infrastructure, and incorporate PEV charging as a tenant improvement for state-leased buildings.

(Reference Oregon Law 90, 2018, Executive Order 17-21, 2017, and Oregon Revised Statutes 276.255)

Planned Community and Condominium Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Installations

The owner of a lot in a planned community or unit in a condominium may submit an application to install EVSE for their personal use in a parking space subject to the exclusive use of the owner. The homeowners association must approve a complete application within 60 days. The owner is responsible for all costs associated with the EVSE installation and use, must disclose the existence of the EVSE and related responsibilities to a prospective buyer, and must ensure that the infrastructure meets insurance and safety requirements. EVSE installed under these regulations on or before June 4, 2015, is considered to be the personal property of the lot or unit owner with which the EVSE is associated, unless the owner and homeowners association have negotiated a different outcome. Additional requirements and restrictions apply. (Reference Oregon Revised Statutes 94.762 and 100.627)

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Deployment Support

Oregon joined California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont in signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support the deployment of ZEVs through involvement in a ZEV Program Implementation Task Force (Task Force). In May 2014, the Task Force published a ZEV Action Plan (Plan) identifying 11 priority actions to accomplish the goals of the MOU, including deploying at least 3.3 million ZEVs and adequate fueling infrastructure within the signatory states by 2025. The Plan also includes a research agenda to inform future actions. On an annual basis, each state must report on the number of registered ZEVs, the number of public electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and hydrogen fueling stations, and available information regarding workplace fueling for ZEVs.

In June 2018, the Task Force published a new ZEV Action Plan for 2018-2021. Building on the 2014 Action Plan, the 2018 Action Plan makes recommendations for states and other key partners in five priority areas:

• Raising consumer awareness and interest in electric vehicle technology;
• Building out a reliable and convenient residential, workplace and public charging/fueling infrastructure network;
• Continuing and improving access to consumer purchase and non-financial incentives;
• Expanding public and private sector fleet adoption; and
• Supporting dealership efforts to increase ZEV sales.

For more information, see the Multi-State ZEV Task Force website.

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Parking Space Regulation

An individual is not allowed to park a motor vehicle within any parking space specifically designated for public parking and fueling of AFVs unless the motor vehicle is an AFV fueled by electricity, natural gas, methanol, propane, gasoline blended with at least 85% ethanol (E85), or other fuel the Oregon Department of Energy approves. Eligible AFVs must also be in the process of fueling or charging to park in the space. A person found responsible for a violation is subject to traffic violation penalties. (Reference Oregon Revised Statutes 811.587)

Transportation Electrification Acceleration Programs

The Oregon Public Utility Commission must direct electric utilities to file applications for programs to accelerate transportation electrification. Eligible programs include investments in or customer rebates for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). Among other criteria, programs must stimulate innovation, competition, and customer choice in EVSE and plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging.

Additionally, the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) must engage with publicly and investor-owned utilities on how to improve transportation electrification plans and increase PEV adoption in their service territories. ODOE must also provide the utilities with technical assistance on how to accommodate increased electric system loads from PEVs.

(Reference Executive Order 17-21, 2017, and Oregon Revised Statues 757.357)

Plug-In Electric Vehicle and Vehicle Efficiency Fees

All-electric vehicle (EV) owners must pay an annual fee of $110 or a per-mile road use fee, administered by the OReGo program. Beginning January 1, 2022, EV owners must pay a fee of $115. Medium-speed EV owners must pay an annual fee of $58. All other hybrid vehicles must pay an annual fee in the following amounts:

The monthly per-mile road use fee, as an alternative to the annual fees, is determined by the schedule below:

Drivers with electric vehicles or vehicles with ratings over 40 mpg are exempt from additional registration fees if they enroll in the OReGo program. For more information, including how to apply, visit the OReGo program website. These fees are in addition to standard registration fees.

(Reference Oregon Revised Statutes 803.420-803.422)

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 House Bill 2007, 2019, and Oregon Revised Statutes 468A.795 - 468A.803)

Rented Commercial Property Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Installations

The tenant of a commercial space may submit an application to install EVSE for the use of the tenant, employees of the tenant, and customers of the tenant. Unless the premises does not have at least one parking space per rental unit, the landlord must approve a completed application no more than 60 days after the tenant submits the application. In the absence of a different tenant-landlord agreement, the EVSE will be personal property of the tenant and the tenant is responsible for all costs associated with installation and use of the EVSE. The tenant is responsible for maintaining a renter's liability insurance policy of at least $100,000. Upon the termination of the rental agreement, the landlord may require the tenant to remove the charging station and restore the premises. Additional requirements and restrictions apply. (Reference Oregon Revised Statutes 90.462)

Support for Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Adoption

In order to support the state goal of at least 50,000 PEVs registered and operating in Oregon by 2020, the Zero-Emission Vehicle Working Group (Working Group) will develop goals and progress metrics for PEV adoption. The Working Group will include representatives from the Departments of Administrative Services, Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Quality, and the Oregon Public Utility Commission. The Working Group will aim to remove barriers to PEVs and PEV charging stations and share information about their efforts with the public. More information can be found on the Go Electric Oregon website. (Reference Executive Order 17-21, 2017)

Volkswagen (VW) Settlement Allocation

The Department Environmental Quality (DEQ), with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE), and Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division, engaged stakeholders and received public comments to inform the development of a plan to leverage up to 15% of the VW Environmental Mitigation Trust to support vehicle electrification. The plan includes the development and maintenance of plug-in electric vehicle charging stations, with a focus on rural and low-income communities.

ODOT, with ODOE, DEQ, the Public Utility Commission, and local governments, must develop proposals for future 30-month investment periods of Electrify America's Zero-Emission Vehicle Investment Plan. More information can be found on the Go Electric Oregon website. (Reference Executive Order 17-21, 2017)

Mandatory Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Building Standards

The Oregon Department of Business and Consumer Services, Building Code Division, must amend the state building code to require that all newly constructed residential and commercial building parking structures can support the installation of at least one level 2 EVSE by October 1, 2022. (Reference Executive Order 17-21, 2017)

Establishment of Recognition Programs for Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Adoption

The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) must design and establish Governor's Awards for automobile dealerships to encourage sales of PEVs. ODOE must also design and establish Governor's Awards for businesses and organizations that support PEV adoption through installing charging infrastructure and using PEVs in their fleets. More information, including nomination forms, can be found on the Go Electric Oregon website. (Reference Executive Order 17-21, 2017)

Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Rebate

The Clean Vehicle Rebate Program provides rebates to Oregon residents, businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies for the purchase or lease of PEVs. New PEVs with a battery capacity greater than 10 kilowatt-hours (kWh) are eligible for a rebate of $2,500 and new PEVs with a battery capacity of less than 10 kWh are eligible for a rebate of $1,500. Oregon residents that meet low or moderate household income requirements are eligible for rebates of $2,500 for the purchase or lease of used all-electric vehicles (EVs) and $5,000 for the purchase or lease of new EVs. New zero-emission electric motorcycles are eligible for a rebate of $750. For more information, see the Clean Vehicle Rebate Program website. (Reference Oregon Revised Statutes 468.148-468.157)

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Installation Rebate - Central Lincoln

Central Lincoln offers residential and commercial customers a one-time rebate of $250 to purchase a Level 2 EVSE. Eligible EVSE must be purchased on or after July 1, 2018. For more information, including the application, please visit the Central Lincoln website.

Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Registration Incentive - Emerald People’s Utility District (EPUD)

EPUD customers are eligible for a $100 incentive to register their new or used PEV with the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles. New or used PEVs with at least 2 kilowatt-hours of on-board battery capacity qualify. For more information, including the application, visit the EPUD website.

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Rebates - Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB)

EWEB offers rebates for residential and commercial customers to install Level 2 EVSE. Eligible residential customers may receive up to $500, and eligible commercial customers may receive up to $1,000. For more information, including application details, visit the EWEB Electric Vehicle Incentives and Rebates website.

Non-Residential Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Grants - Pacific Power

Pacific Power is offering non-residential customers quarterly grants for up to 100% of eligible purchase and installation costs of EVSE. Twenty-five percent of funds will be earmarked for workplace charging and fleet electrification projects. Additional requirements may apply. For more information, visit the Pacific Power Charging Station Grants website.

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Deployment

The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) will monitor state ZEV adoption goal progress for registered vehicles, new vehicle purchases, and the state fleet. The state established the following goals for registered vehicles

• By 2020, 50,000 registered vehicles will be ZEV;
• By 2025, 250,000 registered vehicles with be ZEV; and
• By 2030, 25% of vehicles registered will be ZEV.

In addition, the state established the following goals for new vehicle purchases:

• By 2030, 50% of all new vehicle purchases will be ZEV; and
• By 2035, 90% of all new vehicle purchases will be ZEV.

By 2029, all state fleet vehicles should be ZEVs. ODOE must submit a biannual report by September 15 on the status of ZEV adoption. If ZEV adoption goals are not met, ODOE report must include strategies for increased adoption rates.

(Reference Oregon Revised Statutes 283.327 and 283.398)

State Emissions Reductions and Reporting Requirements

Oregon will pursue transportation electrification as part of greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets of at least 45% below 1990 levels by 2035, and at least 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Select state agencies must report actions to reduce emissions annually. In consultation with appropriate state agencies, the Oregon Department of Transportation must submit a report to the governor on statewide transportation electrification infrastructure analysis by June 30, 2021. Additional requirements apply. (Reference Executive Order 20-04, 2020)

Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV) Charging Rate Incentive - Portland General Electric (PGE)

PGE offers a discounted time-of-use (TOU) electricity rate for customers with a PEV. The TOU rate is for charging during the off-peak period. Additional terms and conditions apply. For more information, see the PGE Cost Savings website.

Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Deployment Support

California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington (signatory states) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support the deployment of medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs through involvement in a Multi-State ZEV Task Force (Task Force).

By January 2021, the Task Force will develop a multi-state action plan to support electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The Task Force will consider actions to accomplish the goals of the MOU, including limiting all new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sales in the signatory states to ZEVs by 2050. The signatory states will also seek to accelerate the deployment of medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs to benefit disadvantaged communities and explore opportunities to coordinate and partner with key stakeholders.

For more information, see the Multi-State Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle MOU.