Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

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 charging. (Reference Senate Bill 1547, 2016)

The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) AFV Revolving Fund provides loans to public agencies, private entities, and tribes for the incremental cost of AFVs and AFV conversions. Priority will be given to converting petroleum-powered vehicles to AFVs. The loan recipient may be responsible for a fee of 0.1% of the loan, up to $2,500, as well as fees to cover the cost of application processing. ODOE may set the interest rate anywhere from 0% to the current market rate, with a loan term up to six years. Eligible vehicles include those powered by electricity, biofuel, gasoline and alcohol blends with at least 20% alcohol content, hydrogen, natural gas, propane, or any other fuel ODOE approves that produces lower exhaust emissions or is more energy efficient than gasoline or diesel. For more information, including application forms and interest rate and fee information, see the ODOE website. (Reference Oregon Revised Statutes 469.960 through 469.966)

The Oregon Department of Energy administers the State Energy Loan Program (SELP) 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. For more information, including application forms and interest rate and fee information, see the SELP website. (Reference Oregon Revised Statutes 470)

Business owners and others may be eligible for a tax credit of 35% of eligible costs for qualified alternative fuel infrastructure projects, or the incremental or conversion cost of two or more AFVs. Qualified infrastructure includes facilities for mixing, storing, compressing, or dispensing fuels for vehicles operating on alternative fuels. Qualified alternative fuels include electricity, natural gas, gasoline blended with at least 85% ethanol (E85), propane, and other fuels that the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) approves. Unused credits may be carried forward up to five years. Non-profit organizations and public entities that do not have an Oregon tax liability may receive the credit for an eligible project but must "pass-through" or transfer their project eligibility to a pass-through partner in exchange for a lump-sum cash payment. ODOE determines the rate that is used to calculate the cash payment. The pass-through option is also available to a project owner with an Oregon tax liability who chooses to transfer their tax credit. The credit is available through December 31, 2018. (Reference Oregon Revised Statutes 315.336, 469B.320, and 469B.323)

PEVs and HEVs are generally treated the same as conventional vehicles with regard to registration. PEVs and HEVs are registered biennially, with the exception of new vehicles for which new registration plates are issued. Certain PEVs and HEVs, including commercial buses, follow an annual registration period. The registration fee is $43 per vehicle for each year of the registration period. There is an additional fee for PEVs or HEVs in certain weight categories. (Reference Oregon Revised Statutes 803.415 and 803.420)

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) administers the Oregon Clean Fuels Program (Program), which requires fuel producers and importers to register and keep records of and report the volumes and carbon intensities of the fuels they provide in Oregon. DEQ adopted rules for the next phase of the Program, effective February 1, 2015, requiring fuel suppliers to reduce the carbon content of transportation fuels. For more information, see the DEQ Oregon Clean Fuels Program website. (Reference Oregon Revised Statutes 468A.270 and Oregon Administrative Rules 340-253)

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. (Reference Public Utility Commission of Oregon, Order No. 12-013, 2012)

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 94.550, 94.762, 100.005, and 100.627)

Through the Residential Energy Tax Credit program, qualified residents may receive a tax credit for 25% of alternative fuel infrastructure project costs, up to $750. Qualified residents may receive a tax credit for 50% of project costs, up to $750. Qualified alternative fuels include electricity, natural gas, gasoline blended with at least 85% ethanol (E85), propane, and other fuels that the Oregon Department of Energy approves. A company that constructs a dwelling in Oregon and installs fueling infrastructure in the dwelling may claim the credit. Qualified infrastructure must be installed to meet all federal, state, and local codes and be capable of fueling or charging an alternative fuel vehicle within 14 hours. This credit is available through December 31, 2017. For more information, including a list of eligible equipment and a link to the application, please see the Oregon Department of Energy Residential Energy Tax Credit website. (Reference Oregon Revised Statutes 316.116, 317.115, and 469B.160-469B.180)

Oregon joined California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, 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. Each state also committed to:

• Support ZEV commercialization through consistent statewide building codes and standards for installing EVSE, streamlined metering options for homes equipped with EVSE, opportunities to reduce vehicle operating costs, increased electric system efficiency through time-of-use electricity rates and net metering for electric vehicles, and integrating ZEVs with renewable energy initiatives;
• Establish ZEV purchase targets for governmental agency fleets, explore opportunities for coordinated vehicle and fueling station equipment procurement, work to provide public access to government fleet fueling stations, and include commitments to use ZEVs in state contracts with auto dealers and car rental companies where appropriate;
• Evaluate the need for, and effectiveness of, monetary incentives to reduce the upfront purchase price of ZEVs as well as non-monetary incentives, such as high occupancy vehicle lane access, reduced tolls, and preferential parking, and pursue these incentives as appropriate;
• Work to develop uniform standards to promote ZEV consumer acceptance and awareness, industry compliance, and economies of scale, including adopting universal signage, common methods of payment and interoperability of EVSE networks, and reciprocity among states for non-monetary ZEV incentives;
• Cooperate with vehicle manufacturers, electricity and hydrogen providers, the fueling infrastructure industry, corporate fleet owners, financial institutions, and others to encourage ZEV market growth;
• Share research and develop a coordinated education and outreach campaign to highlight the benefits of ZEVs, including collaboration with related national and regional initiatives; and
• Assess and develop potential deployment strategies and infrastructure requirements for the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

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

All state agencies and transit districts must purchase AFVs and use alternative fuels to operate those vehicles to the maximum extent possible, 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 determine annual reduction targets. Reports to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services must include the number of purchases or leases of AFVs or AFV conversions and the quantity of each type of alternative fuel used annually by state agency fleets. (Reference Oregon Revised Statutes 283.327 and 267.030, and Executive Order 06-02, 2006)

State agencies may install publicly-accessible EVSE on their premises or contract with a vendor to do so. The Oregon Department of Administrative Services may install up to 10 EVSE over a two-year period. Other state agencies may install five EVSE every two years. Additional EVSE are allowable if the agency secures a grant for the installation. A state agency may establish and adjust prices for charging, provided that the price does not subsidize the operations of a private entity or the cost of electricity or substantially exceed the costs the agency incurs to make the electricity available. Additional restrictions apply. (Reference Oregon Revised Statutes 276.255)

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 Law 208 and Oregon Revised Statutes 469B.100)