Newest Electric Avenue increases charging infrastructure’s accessibility, affordability and reliability

Portland General Electric and the City of Hillsboro announced plans to build a new Electric Avenue charging hub in the Sunset Esplanade shopping center. This new charging hub supports Hillsboro’s 2035 Community and Environmental Sustainability Plans as well as PGE’s Transportation Electrification Plan, which are designed to help accelerate the electrification of Oregon’s transportation system.

“The decision to add public electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Hillsboro is another example of PGE’s commitment to a clean energy future for all of us,” said Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway. “We’re grateful to PGE for partnering with our city to achieve our sustainability goals and City Council priorities.”

The newest Electric Avenue will be located at Sunset Esplanade off Southeast Tualatin Valley Highway and Southeast Cypress Street, giving residents public access to additional quick-charging stations. This shopping center is a high-traffic area that will allow EV drivers convenient access to chargers while they are shopping at popular retailers. The location’s visibility will also increase awareness of the availability and benefits of EVs.

“This new Electric Avenue charging hub is part of our larger effort to increase access to electricity as a transportation fuel for our entire region,” said Maria Pope, president and CEO of PGE. “With the full support of the Hillsboro City Council, this partnership with the City of Hillsboro is an example of how working together as a whole community is critical in achieving a clean energy future.”

Each charging hub will feature six stations equipped with two types of connectors, allowing up to six EVs to charge simultaneously. A standard charge fee will be $3, and a quick charge will cost $5. Customers can opt for a subscription to use all Electric Avenue stations for $25 per month.

PGE will own and maintain the new charging site at no cost to the city. Hillsboro joins the City of Milwaukie as the second location identified in PGE’s Transportation Electrification Plan that calls for up to six Electric Avenues to be installed.

PGE’s original Electric Avenue — located at its World Trade Center headquarters — has charged more than 1.25 million miles of driving, avoiding more than 515 metric tons of carbon dioxide since its installation in October 2015.

About Portland General Electric Company: Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is a fully integrated energy company based in Portland, Oregon, serving approximately 883,000 customers in 51 cities. For more than 125 years, PGE has been delivering safe, affordable and reliable energy to Oregonians. Together with its customers, PGE has the No. 1 voluntary renewable energy program in the U.S. With approximately 2,900 employees across the state, PGE is committed to helping its customers and the communities it serves build a clean energy future. For more information, visit PortlandGeneral.com/CleanVision.

About the City of Hillsboro: Hillsboro is one of Oregon’s most diverse and dynamic cities, with a steadily growing population of 101,540 residents, as of 2017. Hillsboro is the largest city in Washington County and serves as the county seat. During the workday, more than 50,000 employees commute to Hillsboro to work at companies such as Intel, Nike and Genentech. Known as the “high-tech hub of Oregon” and the “tallest tree in the Silicon Forest,” Hillsboro has some of the best land, power and water resources in the country. With its thriving economy, Hillsboro is the home of Oregon’s fourth-largest school district, two higher-education campuses and 28 parks with more than 1,500 acres of designated green spaces. Annual community events include the Oregon International Air Show, the Hillsboro Latino Cultural Festival and one of the largest Fourth of July parades in the Northwest. The Hillsboro Hops, the only professional baseball team in the Portland metro area, entertain fans during home games at the city’s baseball stadium, Ron Tonkin Field. Learn more at www.Hillsboro-Oregon.gov.