Pacific Power has new plans for nearly $2 million in EV grants that will go toward 18 cities, community colleges and nonprofits in Oregon.

Some of the EV projects include bringing e-bike vouchers to Bend; installing EV charging stations in areas including Sweet Home, Pendleton and Grass Valley; and selling service electric trucks and vans to qualifying nonprofits and the Multnomah County public libraries.

The EV project funds are intended to connect Oregonians with clean air and cost savings benefits of EVs, enhancing community and the environment.

“We are inspired by these organizations, in towns large and small, that are working hard to lift up people in their communities and take care of the environment,” Pacific Power regional business manager Bob Gravely said. “It is an honor to support this indispensable work, while helping to boost the growth and vitality of the communities we serve.”

Kate Hawley, a Pacific Power electric transportation senior product manager, touted the role of electric transportation in the broader community.

“Pacific Power is hard at work building a safe, reliable, affordable clean energy future. A critical part of that work is helping to ensure that Oregonians at all income levels, in all kinds of communities, have access to electric transportation and the economic growth and vitality it can bring,” Hawley said. “These Electric Mobility Grants are an important way that we can strengthen the communities we serve and help them thrive.”

Since 2020, Pacific Power distributed over $4.5 million in electric mobility grants to Oregon communities, according to the utility. Pacific Power raises funds for the grants through selling Clean Fuels Program credits in the Oregon Clean Fuels Program, administered by the state Department of Environmental Quality.

Further EV projects funded by the grant program include installing one or two DC fast chargers near downtown Prineville, where currently there is only one public charger within a 20-mile radius.

Bend will see a Ford F-150 Lightning EV purchased for the upper Deschutes Watershed Council, and Central Oregon Community College is also slated to receive funds for EV chargers and four used fleet EVs for the Bend and Prineville campuses.

In Multnomah County, Taking Ownership PDX, a volunteer operation that upgrades Black community members’ homes, is slated to receive funds for a Volkswagen ID.4 EV and a Level 2 charger for workers and the public. Nonprofit Verde is lined up to receive grants for a Level 2 charger and a Ford E-Transit van.