Portland is considering a proposal to increase the availability of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in new residential and multi-dwelling buildings. The proposal, presented to the City Council, aims to ensure that newly built multi-dwelling housing units with five or more residences and on-site parking install the necessary conduit and electrical panel space for EV chargers. It also requires parking lots with more than six spaces to make 50% of those spaces, or at least six spaces, EV-ready for level 2 charging, which is needed for faster charging speeds. Smaller parking lots will require all spaces to be EV-ready.
Supporting Portland’s Climate Goals
The proposal is part of the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability’s broader efforts under the EV Ready Code Project. Commissioner Carmen Rubio emphasized that this initiative would help Portland achieve its climate action goals by ensuring that infrastructure is prepared for the growing demand for EVs. Rubio noted that these changes exceed state requirements and highlight Portland’s early adoption of EV technology. The goal is to create equitable access to EV charging infrastructure, particularly for those who may not own their homes and are thus unable to install chargers on their own.
Oregon is seeing a significant surge in electric vehicle sales, with the state ranking second in the nation for the share of new EVs sold in 2021. As of October 2022, nearly 60,000 EVs were registered in the state, with an average of 1,000 new EVs registered each month. The proposal aligns with broader state goals to phase out the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035 in response to the transportation sector being the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon. This trend is driving the need for more EV infrastructure to meet future demand.
Addressing Equity and Access Issues
One of the key objectives of the proposal is to address inequities in access to EV charging infrastructure. Research by the Bureau revealed that barriers such as affordability and access to charging stations have led to a gap in EV adoption, particularly in low-income and minority communities. Ingrid Fish, who works on the city’s decarbonization policy, explained that 78% of registered EVs in Oregon are concentrated in wealthier, predominantly white areas. The proposal aims to ensure that all communities, especially Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) populations, have the opportunity to participate in the transition to electric vehicles.
The proposal has garnered widespread support from climate and environmental advocates, utilities like Portland General Electric and Pacific Power, as well as electric vehicle manufacturers like Tesla. Advocates argue that the proposal is essential for reducing transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions and enabling renters to adopt EVs by providing access to charging stations in their apartment complexes. However, some concerns have been raised regarding the cost implications for developers, particularly as Portland works to address affordable housing needs. Nevertheless, city officials assert that the cost of installing electrical wiring for chargers is minimal, and the proposal only applies to new buildings, not existing properties. The City Council is set to vote on the proposal on February 8, with the rule expected to take effect on April 1 if passed.