Pacific Power adding Klamath Falls electric car charging station

Pacific Power said Monday it is adding to the thrum of National Drive Electric Week (Sept. 8-16) by taking steps to expand the network of charging stations that will be needed as the number of electric cars in Oregon moves toward the state’s goal of 50,000 electric cars on the road by 2020.

“We’re on an innovative path to offer customers across the state more choice in transportation,” said Cory Scott, director of customer solutions for Pacific Power. “We will be developing as many as seven company-owned charging stations across Oregon, many in smaller communities, that will serve areas that private developers may overlook.”

The first charging station is in partnership with the City of Klamath Falls and Sky Lakes Medical Center and will be located in newly developed Klamath Commons Park. “It is the kind of community collaboration we hope to see with all our charging station sites that will help our customers,” Scott added.

Charging stations feature fast-charging units, where an electric car owner can recharge in 30 minutes. Several more locations in Oregon are being studied and further announcements will follow this fall and winter. the utility said in a news release.

In addition, on Oct. 15, Pacific Power will open applications for business and civic customers to receive grants to develop their own charging stations. Some examples of projects eligible for grants include, but are not limited to:

Chargers for community car sharing programs to improve access and charging to electric cars in underserved communities. Businesses of all sizes installing chargers as an amenity for customers and employees. Multi-housing owners installing chargers for tenants, either in support of tenant-owned electric cars or in conjunction with offering electric cars for tenant use.

The grants will be awarded in quarterly cycles through the end of 2019. Applications for the first cycle will be available starting Oct. 15 and due Nov. 15.

In total, $1.45 million in grant funding will be available to non-residential customers through the end of 2019 if funds remain available. Details on grant criteria will be made available by Oct. 15.

Another way Pacific Power is advancing electric cars is through a partnership with Nissan. Nissan is offering a $3,000 incentive to any Pacific Power customer who chooses to buy a new Nissan Leaf. The offer runs through the end of September. Look for details at https://www.pacificpower.net/env/ev/pacific-power-nissan-leaf-offer-2018.html.

“Electric cars can be a great choice for many customers. They can be more affordable to own and operate, and better for the environment too,” said Scott. “We all want a cleaner energy future, and these actions during National Drive Electric Week are designed to help customers explore whether an electric vehicle is right for them.”

To learn more about the benefits of electric vehicles, visit pacificpower.net/ev