Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

Biofuels Program Impact Studies

The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) must conduct periodic impact studies related to the biofuels industry in the state. These studies should evaluate such criteria as: jobs created; current and projected feedstock availability; amount of biofuels blends produced and consumed in the state; cost comparison of biofuels blends and petroleum fuel; environmental impacts; and the extent to which Oregon producers import biofuels or biofuels feedstocks from outside the state. ODOE issued the first Biofuels Impact Study in 2010 and will conduct a study every two years through January 1, 2025. (Reference Oregon Revised Statutes 469B.400)

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.

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 17-21, 2017, Oregon Revised Statutes 468A.270, and Oregon Administrative Rules 340-253)

Electricity Provider 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)

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Deployment Support

Oregon joined California, Connecticut, 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.

Authorization of Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Rebates

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will establish a state rebate program for the purchase or lease of new light-duty ZEVs and PHEVs. DEQ will set the rebate amount annually. ZEVs or PHEVs with a battery capacity of 10 kilowatt-hours (kWh) or more will be eligible for rebates between $1,500 and $2,500 and ZEVs or PHEVs with a battery capacity of less than 10 kWh will be eligible for rebates between $750 and $1,500. Neighborhood electric vehicles and zero-emission motorcycles will be eligible for rebates between $375 and $750. Qualified vehicles must have a manufacturer's suggested retail price of less than $50,000.

Low- and moderate-income drivers that live in areas with elevated concentrations of air pollution will be eligible for an additional rebate of up to $2,500 for the purchase or lease of a new or used ZEV to replace a vehicle that is more than 20 years old.

(Reference Oregon Law 750.149, 2017)

Support for Autonomous Vehicles

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is the lead agency responsible for coordination of autonomous vehicle (AV) program and policies. ODOT will establish a Task Force on AVs (Task Force) to develop recommendations for AV legislation to address licensing and registration, law enforcement and accident reporting, cybersecurity, and insurance and liability. The Task Force must submit a report to the Legislative Assembly on proposed recommendations by September 15, 2018. The Task Force will also submit a report on the potential long-term effect of AVs to the Legislative Assembly by September 15, 2019. (Reference House Bill 4063, 2018)

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 establish a website to share information about their efforts with the public. (Reference Executive Order 17-21, 2017)

Volkswagen 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, must engage stakeholders and receive public comments to inform the development of a plan to leverage up to 15% of the Volkswagen Mitigation Fund to support vehicle electrification. The plan should include 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.

(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. (Reference Executive Order 17-21, 2017)

Support for Zero-Emission Buses

The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE), with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Public Utility Commission (PUC), Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and the Department of Education, must develop tools and provide assistance to school districts about using zero-emission bus options when replacing school buses.

ODOT, with ODOE, PUC, and DEQ, must develop tools and best practices to help transit agencies when making decisions about using zero-emission buses in transit fleets. ODOT must also work with transit agencies, ODOE, DEQ, and the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division to access the environmental, public health, and financial benefits of an accelerated transition to zero-emission buses.

(Reference Executive Order 17-21, 2017)