Oregon has paused its electric vehicle rebate program after handing out more than $75 million in funds and is focusing on stocking state parks with new chargers to support the influx of new cars.
The Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, started in 2018, was temporarily suspended in March due to budgetary constraints. Those who wanted the benefits had to buy an electric vehicle by April 30.
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The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) paused two cash options for consumers starting May 1. One option was for drivers who bought or leased an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid under $50,000, offering up to $2,500 for any income level. The other offers $5,000 for low or moderate-income drivers. Oregon drivers could use both rebates for a total of $7,500 back.
Oregon has taken significant steps to promote electric vehicle use, following California’s Advanced Clean Cars II Act, proposing new cars sold within the state be emissions-free by 2035.
Erica Timm, DEQ’s clean vehicle rebate coordinator, told Oregon Public Broadcasting that program costs are only expected to increase in the years nearing 2035.
“The number for next year, for example, is an estimated $33 million to cover the costs,” Timm said. “But if we were to look out to, say, 2030, we were looking at the projected cost could be over $91 million a year.”
The state has issued more than $75 million for the rebate program and received over 24,000 applications as of April.
To encourage residents to buy electric vehicles, and to meet demand, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) partnered with the nonprofit organization Adopt A Charger, and manufacturer Entec Polymers to place Rivian chargers across a handful of state parks. The groups will contribute to almost 1,700 public Level 2 chargers throughout the state.
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“The installation of EV charging stations at Oregon State Parks supports OPRD’s environmental stewardship by enabling zero-emission travel to these popular destinations," Kitty Adams Hoksbergen, executive director of Adopt a Charger said in an OPRD press release. "It complements The Oregon Electric Byways and the West Coast Electric Highway, which provide the framework for EV tourism, by closing the gaps in the infrastructure.”
The usage fees for the new stations will be covered by Entec Polymers for up to two years in some areas, depending on fundraising from Adopt A Charger.