The city of Portland, OR will soon have the country’s first public charging site for medium- and heavy-duty electric commercial vehicles. Portland General Electric (PGE) and Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) have co-developed “Electric Island” to accelerate the development, testing and deployment of zero emissions (tank-to-wheel) commercial vehicles.
“In cooperation with PGE, and with the plan to expand electric vehicle charging right here in Portland to support not only our EV charging needs, but those of other drivers in the area, we are paving the way to a brighter, cleaner CO2-neutral future,” said Roger Nielsen, president and CEO of DTNA. “As the largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles, we can accelerate this shift and are excited to address, holistically, the complete EV ecosystem.”
The site is designed to support up to nine vehicle charging stations with charging levels of up to greater than one megawatt and will offer public facilities for charging light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Many of the chargers will be open to the public, which can pay for electricity by the minute or kW via mobile phone application, charging network membership cards, or by credit card. It is powered by Portland General Electric’s Green Future Impact renewable energy program and will be greenhouse gas emissions-free, including all vehicle charging.
“Oregon’s transportation future is electric, and with global leaders like Daimler Trucks North America right here in Portland, we have the opportunity to accelerate a clean energy transition,” said Maria Pope, president and CEO of PGE. “We are excited to launch this cutting-edge partnership with DTNA, demonstrating what is possible when utilities and the automotive industry collaborate and innovate.”
The site is expected to be completed by spring of 2021, with future plans for more chargers, on-site energy storage, solar power generation, and a product and technology showcase building.