Oregon EV drivers speak their minds — and hearts — about legislation and policy

BY Al LePage: Vice-President, Emerald Valley Electric Vehicle Association

What I did on my 'summer vacation' last year was ask myself, given I wasn't going on vacation, what could I do? 

My answer? Spend some time learning about what electric vehicle (EV) drivers in my home state of Oregon actually think, and gathering any compelling ideas these folks may have to advance the EV agenda. 

With that in mind, I created a quick survey and reached out to my own chapter of the Electric Auto Association (EAA), as well as the other two chapters in our state, the Oregon Electric Auto Association and the Southern Oregon Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Association.

I reported the results of my survey in Promoting Electric Vehicles in Oregon.  

I invite you to review the article and perhaps to look at the raw survey data provided at the end where it is clear that ‘first place’ in the survey went to the call for enhanced charging infrastructure. 

Some highlights of the responses are as follows:

Driver challenges:

• Low range

• Lack of inclusive access

• Limits to changing infrastructure

Oregon rebates: `

• Too complex and time inefficient in reimbursing buyers

• Need for more education to increase rebate awareness 

Incentive proposals

• Give rebates/tax credits for installation of EV supply equipment at businesses and multifamily residences 

• Develop long-term strategy for initiatives based on research

• Enhance awareness of incentives through outreach and education  

• Incentivize companies that install charging stations

Legislative Ideas

• Give cash rebates for EVs

• Require chargers in parking lots with over 100 spaces 

• Impose state limit on commercial charging rates 

• Require renewable power generation for all building permits

• Allow utilities to invest in charging infrastructure at multifamily housing

• Mandate that city and state agencies transition to electric fleets

• Lower registration fees for EVs

• Encourage legislators to commute in non-polluting vehicles and to make it known to their constituents

Policy Ideas

• Develop mandates to enhance EV adoption

• Develop policy to enhance charging

• Develop disincentives for driving fossil fuel vehicles

• Improve the overall dealership experience

• Establish public charging stations at freeway turnouts to be supplied by nearby wind turbines and/or solar panel banks

• Allow public charging stations to accept Visa, AmEx, etc…

• Designate ‘hybrid-only’ pumps with reduced state gas tax at gas stations 

Final comments

• Overall need for better education/awareness outreach 

• Expression of  'love and gratitude’ for electric vehicles

Not bad for a summer vacation, huh? So my question to each and every EAA chapter out there is simply this: “What are you going to do on YOUR summer vacation this year?”  Answer is… encouraging your chapter—and perhaps involving all of your state’s chapters—to simply suggest and support legislation that will help us all charge ahead  to a future where everyone can ‘Drive Electric!'