Oregon celebrates halfway mark to 50K electric vehicles

FILE – In this June 26, 2018 file photo, a Nissan Leaf charges at a recharge station while parked by the Denver City County Building in downtown Denver. The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission approved a new regulation on Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, requiring that at least 5% of the vehicles sold in the state by 2023 emit zero pollution. The rule approved Friday by the state Air Quality Control Commission applies to auto manufactures, not buyers. It’s intended to boost the number of electric vehicles in a state struggling to control air pollution in heavily populated areas. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Governor Brown signed off on the 50K by 2020 goal in 2017

by: KOIN 6 News Staff

Posted: Aug 21, 2019 / 09:39 AM PDT

Updated: Aug 21, 2019 / 09:39 AM PDT

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Oregon has a whopping 25,000 electric cars registered on the road, reaching the halfway point of the state’s goal of 50,000 registered electric vehicles by 2020.

All Oregon counties are pitching in to help push for this change — Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas represent about a third of Oregon’s electric drivers.

But, even the smaller counties are making their mark. Counties with fewer than 100K residents account for more than 3,000 of the states registered EVs.

“More Oregonians are choosing electric vehicles, and with 25,000 EVs on Oregon’s roads, we are gaining momentum,” said Janine Benner, Director of the Oregon Department of Energy. “We look forward to celebrating when we reach 50,000.”

Governor Brown was the one to sign off on the 50K by 2020 goal in 2017 with Executive Order 17-21.