SALEM, Ore. – Electric vehicle drivers in Oregon will soon have access to more than 20 new public fast charging stations across the state.

According to the ODOT Climate Office, the agency selected companies last week for the second round of grants from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. The federal NEVI program funds public fast charging stations along major roads throughout Oregon and the United States.

The grants will fund 24 total charging stations along Interstate 84 and U.S. Highways 20, 26, 97 and 101. Each station will have at least four charging ports, with some having as many as eight, for a total of 126 new fast charging ports.

Fast charging stations have high-powered ports that can recharge some electric vehicles 10% to 80% in less than 30 minutes. ODOT intends to award $16.7 million in NEVI grants to seven private charging companies selected through a competitive process.

The agency will finalize grant contracts with each company over the next few months. ODOT expects several stations will come online over the next 12 to 18 months, though the agency doesn’t have a precise timeline for when companies will start work.

The private companies chose the station locations. Each station is near food, shopping, supermarkets and other amenities along major roads.

ODOT plans to launch the third NEVI grant opportunity this summer. The agency will focus on filling rural gaps in Oregon’s public fast charging network on Interstate 82, Oregon Highway 42, U.S. Highway 95, U.S. Highway 101 south of Reedsport, U.S. Highway 20 east of Bend and U.S. Highway 26 east of Prineville.

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program will establish a nationwide network of public fast charging stations in all 50 states over five years along major highways and interstates. The funding comes from the 2021 federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocated Oregon $52 million over five years through the program.

The private charging companies awarded grant funding will install, own and maintain the NEVI charging stations. The companies must provide a minimum of 20% in matching funds and a five-year maintenance plan for each station.