West Coast states to share $102 million in federal funds to add zero-emission truck charging, refueling stations on I-5
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The U.S. Department of Transportation on Tuesday awarded more than $102 million in federal funding to Oregon, California and Washington to install electric vehicle charging stations and hydrogen fueling stations for trucks along Interstate 5 and other key freight routes.
The award will result in new, publicly accessible EV charging stations and hydrogen fueling stations for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles like delivery vans and long-haul freight trucks. The stations are part of a collaborative project among the West Coast states to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission vehicles in the trucking and logistics industries.
You can read more details about the award, and the full list of awarded projects nationwide, in this online PDF from the Federal Highway Administration. California’s award for the “West Coast Truck Charging and Fueling Corridor Project” is the one shared with Oregon and Washington.
ODOT said it was waiting for more details about the award from the federal government, and will share updates by email when they have them.
The grant funding comes from the federal Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant program under the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“Our success with this grant is due to the strong partnership among the West Coast states and our national leadership in reducing emissions from transportation,” said Kris Strickler, ODOT Director. “Heavy trucks are a vital part of our economies and this federal funding will give us the opportunity to meet the trucking industry’s need for more modern infrastructure.”
Oregon's elected leaders react to award announcement
“Zero-emission vehicles mean cleaner air, healthier communities, and a whole lot less climate pollution,” said Senator Jeff Merkley. “The transportation sector is America’s largest source of carbon pollution and transitioning to electric vehicles — as well as zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles — will reduce this dangerous pollution driving climate chaos. This essential funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help Oregon lead the way on heavy-duty charging infrastructure, just like it did with the West Coast Electric Highway for cars and trucks.”
“This investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help to significantly reduce emissions along one of the busiest interstate corridors in the country,” said Rep. Suzanne Bonamici. “Decarbonizing medium and heavy-duty trucks is critical to accelerate our response to the climate crisis, and this funding will also create skilled clean energy jobs across the West Coast. I am thrilled to see this transformative investment.”
“I was proud to join my colleagues in the region to advocate for this funding, which will help develop an innovative charging network that will lower emissions and help usher in a new era of sustainable transportation,” said Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer.
For more reactions from Oregon's congressional delegation, read this release from Sen. Merkley's office.
Albany and Tualatin win grants, too
The cities of Tualatin and Albany also received grant awards for public EV charging stations from the program. Details of those awards are included in the link above to the FHWA award PDF.
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Public charging and refueling infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles is one of several ways we’re working with federal and state partners to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and address climate change in Oregon. ODOT's data says that by 2050, we’re on track to reduce emissions by about 60%. Learn how we’ll get there on our transportation emissions website.
