Oregon Department of Energy to Host Electric Vehicle Showcase September 21 at Salem Saturday Market

Contact:
Jennifer Kalez, 503-480-9239
Erica Euen, 503-378-3637

SALEM — Oregonians are invited to join the Oregon Department of Energy for an Electric Vehicle Showcase on September 21 at the Salem Saturday Market. The event will kick off at 9 a.m. at 865 Marion St. NE in downtown Salem.

The Showcase coincides with National Drive Electric Week, which runs September 14-22, 2019. National Drive Electric Week is an annual nationwide educational campaign focused on supporting the transition to electric vehicles – and the Oregon Department of Energy is excited to do its part.

The transportation sector accounts for nearly 40 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon — and light-duty vehicles, including passenger vehicles, contribute nearly 60 percent of that. Electrifying the transportation sector is an important strategy for reducing harmful GHG emissions and meeting our climate goals.

Oregon has a bold goal to have at least 50,000 registered electric vehicles on our roads by the end of 2020. This summer, we celebrated reaching the halfway mark, with more than 26,000 registered EVs as of August 1. “With increased range, more affordable options, and growing charging infrastructure, there’s no better time for Oregonians to go electric,” said Janine Benner, ODOE Director and happy EV owner. “And with climate change already negatively affecting communities throughout the state, there’s no time to waste.”

At the September 21 Showcase, a small variety of EVs will be on display with State of Oregon staff on hand to answer questions. Attendees will learn about available rebates and incentives, the many benefits of owning an EV, and options for how to charge up and go with helpful tools like the free smartphone app by Oregon-based Chargeway.

Own an EV? Share your story with us! Let us know what motivated you to make the switch and your experience with EV ownership. Share your auto-biography with us on social media by posting a picture of your EV using #GoElectricOR.

For information about other National Drive Electric Week events near you, visit driveelectricweek.org. Interested in purchasing an EV and helping us reach our goals? Visit goelectric.oregon.gov for information about incentives, rebates, and more.