DEQ release - PORTLAND – Oregon’s push for a greener future got a major boost earlier this year when the state surpassed 100,000 registered electric vehicles. The milestone will mean fewer emissions from the transportation sector and across Oregon.  Representatives from the Oregon Departments of Transportation, Energy, and Environmental Quality gathered at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland Monday to celebrate the milestone with a news conference.  Directors from each agency and OMSI’s President and CEO Erin Graham spoke about the state’s progress to electrify transportation and reduce emissions from transportation, which account for about 35% of the state’s total greenhouse gas emissions.  Oregon crossed the 100,000 registered electric cars, SUVs and light trucks threshold in July 2024, according to DMV registration data. As of August 2024, there are about 102,400 registered EVs throughout the state. That number includes both battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles.  Other event attendees included Sen. Janeen Sollman, a representative from Sen. Aaron L. Woods’ office, and members of Portland electrification nonprofit Forth.  Closing gaps in public EV charging infrastructure - ODOT director Kris Strickler emphasized his agency’s work to close gaps in Oregon’s public EV charging infrastructure, particularly in rural and disadvantaged areas of the state.  “ODOT is funding a reliable and accessible public EV charging network that meets drivers where they are, whether that’s at work, school, or out exploring our state,” said Strickler. “A robust public charging network gives folks the confidence they need to make an EV their next vehicle.”  Strickler touted ODOT’s Community Charging Rebates program, which funds Level 2 charging station projects at multifamily homes, workplaces, and publicly accessible parking areas. The rebates program funded a public EV charging station project at OMSI in 2024.  As of November 2024, the rebates program has distributed $4.2 million to nearly 190 charging station projects in 27 Oregon counties. Over 75% of those projects are in rural or disadvantaged communities.  ODOT also oversees federal grant programs that fund repairs and upgrades to broken public EV charging stations, and new public EV fast charging stations along Oregon’s major roads.