The city of Portland, OR, unveiled a block-long section of free electric car charging stations earlier this week. Termed "Electric Avenue," the strip of charging stations will also serve as a way to collect data on electric car use and charging habits.

According to the Associated Press, the seven electric charging stations have been installed at Portland State University as part of a two-year study. The study will gather data on which of the seven chargers drivers use the most, what type of electric car owner takes advantage of the free charge stations, and what they do while they wait for their vehicle to charge up.

The seven charge stations include one quick-charge that takes about 30 minutes, while the other six stations can fill up most electric car batteries in four to six hours. Six different manufacturers made the electric charge stations. Each station will record information about how often it is used and when.

In other recent news concerning electric cars:
Buyers are trading Toyota Priuses for Chevrolet Volts. Here’s what would make a bigger difference
Nissan testing Leaf that can provide electricity to homes
Preview: BMW i3 and i8 plug-in cars

Electric Cars Get a Charge out of Portland Street [Associated Press]