Oregon, California and Washington are receiving major support from the federal government to advance freight transportation with zero-emission trucks on Interstate 5.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is providing the three states with $102 million to build a network of charging and refueling stations for battery- and hydrogen fuel cell-powered semi-trucks, according to a press release from Oregon’s congressional delegation on Tuesday. With additional federal funding, Oregon will also receive $17 million to build two small electric vehicle charging networks for standard vehicles.
Officials from the Oregon, Washington and California transportation authorities opened pitched the idea of a West Coast zero-emissions truck refueling corridor on I-5 to the U.S. Department of Transportation last year. They proposed using federal funds to build at least 34 charging stations for medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles and five hydrogen fueling stations, mostly along 1,400 miles of I-5, which connects highways to major freight centers in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle.
It’s unclear how much of the $102 million will go to Oregon or how many vehicle chargers or hydrogen fueling stations the state will be able to purchase. Matt Noble, a spokesman for the Oregon Department of Transportation, said the agency is waiting on those details from the federal government.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, medium- and heavy-duty trucks account for nearly 30% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Transportation, including freight, is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon, the state Department of Environmental Protection said.
Local projects receiving additional grants include a network of vehicle charging stations in the central and northern Willamette Valley.
First, the city of Albany will receive about $1.9 million to install electric vehicle charging stations at four locations: in the historic downtown area, at a park-and-ride lot connected to the city’s bus system, at a commercial area near I-5 and Oregon 99 East, and at a municipal parking lot that serves the still inactive Mid-Willamette Valley Intermodal Center on I-5.
Another $15 million will go to the Neighbors Charging Up (TANC-UP) program, which aims to provide electric vehicle chargers to communities in the northern Willamette Valley. TANC-UP is a coalition led by the City of Tualatin and involving 16 neighboring cities, including Portland, Beaverton, Gresham, King City and Lake Oswego.
The group hopes to install 1,000 electric vehicle charging stations in the area, focusing on installations in low- and middle-income neighborhoods, multi-family homes and apartments. Charging stations will also be installed in libraries, parks and community centers.
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