Oregon installs electric charging stations at 7 state parks
Oregon's state parks are making it easier for drivers of electric vehicles to visit the state's more remote corners.
The agency on Friday unveiled high-speed charging stations at seven state parks in central and western Oregon, including at Silver Falls State Park east of Salem.
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"You can drive up, spend three or four hours at a park and get your miles back," said Chris Havel with Oregon State Parks. He added that over time, the chargers will allow visitors with electric vehicles to travel with ease beyond parks nearest to the state's urban centers.
Silver Falls State Park | 4 stations in the South Falls day-use parking lot | Live |
Banks-Vernonia State Trail | 2 stations in the Banks Trailhead parking lot | Live |
L.L Stub Stewart State Park | 3 stations in the Welcome Center parking lot | Live |
Rooster Rock State Park | 4 stations in the main parking lot | TBD |
Cape Lookout State Park | 2 stations in the day-use parking lot | Live |
William M. Tugman State Park | 2 stations in the day-use parking lot | Live |
Prineville Reservoir State Park | 2 stations in the side parking lot near the day-use lot | Live |
The Cove Palisades State Park | 2 stations in the Crooked River day-use parking lot | Live |
The chargers, from electric vehicle maker Rivian, are compatible with all electric vehicles and powered by 100% renewable energy, a news release said, via the company's energy matching program. Rivian, working through the nonprofit Adopt A Charger, donated the installation design, construction costs and EV chargers placed in the parks, the news release said.
The charging stations will be free to use for the first few years, according to the release, because of donations from plastics manufacturer Entec Polymers.
"Initially, donations from Entec are covering charging, but when that donation runs out, the users will have to pay for the electricity they use," Oregon Parks and Recreation Department spokeswoman Jo Niehaus said. "We’ve estimated that the donated amount will cover at least up to 2025."
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In addition to Silver Falls, charging stations are coming to L.L Stub Stewart State Park, Rooster Rock State Park, Cape Lookout State Park, William M. Tugman State Park, Prineville Reservoir State Park, The Cove Palisades State Park and Banks-Vernonia State Trail.
Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. Urness is the author of “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon” and “Hiking Southern Oregon.” He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or 503-399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Electric charging stations Oregon state parks Silver Falls
