Residents of Hillsboro and its vicinity are set to see an increase in public electric vehicle charging options after the City of Tualatin landed a substantial federal grant. Aided by $15 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation, this funding aims to support the installation of EV charging stations within the region, tackling the issue of charging availability for communities that have been historically underserved in this field of transportation infrastructure, as reported by Hillsboro, Oregon. Among these, Hillsboro plans to enhance its network, a move that seeks to bridge what has been termed the "charging divide."
According to a recent announcement by the city, the focus is on extending accessibility to residents who don't have the opportunity for at-home charging. Locations for these chargers will include affordable housing properties, and public spaces such as libraries, parks, and community centers. This initiative is envisioned as a step toward leveling the field for electric vehicle accessibility, aligning with longer-term sustainability and equity plans.
The effort to secure the grant was a regional collaborative push led by the City of Tualatin and coordinated by Forth — a nonprofit organization committed to the equitable progression of clean transportation. "We’d like to congratulate and thank the City of Tualatin on their leadership in securing this opportunity for our region, along with Forth and the 16 other cities dedicated to this project," said Robin Straughan, Sustainability and Resiliency Manager at the City of Hillsboro.
With this infusion of federal funds, up to 500 Level 2 chargers are expected to be installed at approximately 125 sites around Northwest Oregon. Included among the 17 cities participating in this initiative are Beaverton, Forest Grove, Gresham, Hillsboro, King City, Lake Oswego, McMinnville, Milwaukie, Newberg, Oregon City, Portland, Salem, Sherwood, Tigard, Tualatin, Woodburn, and Wood Village.
