Episode 57: EV Electricity Needs

There are more than 137,000 electric vehicles registered in Oregon as of February 2026. While some counties have under a hundred registered electric vehicles, Multnomah County has more than 36,000. With increased electric vehicles comes increased electricity needs.

Electrification is a powerful energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction tool and one of five pathways to our energy future outlined in the Oregon Energy Strategy. Advancing efforts to electrify transportation helps meet the state's electrification and electric vehicle goals.

In this episode of Grounded, we're joined by two electric utility providers in different areas of Oregon - Portland General Electric and Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative - to discuss how they are planning for an increasing number of electric vehicles plugging into their networks.

Part of the strategy includes shifting electric vehicle charging from peak periods when use is highest (like in the evening). Off-peak charging of electric vehicles and use of electric appliances can lower costs, reduce environmental impacts, minimize the need for new power plants, and better integrate variable renewable generation.

In addition, electric utility providers, including PGE and Coos-Curry Electric, offer incentives for customers shifting their charging behavior or installing eligible home chargers. Use the Go Electric Oregon website to see if an incentive is available for your electric utility provider.

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