By Melissa Wagoner
One of the many benefits to visiting one of Oregon’s 108 State Parks is that most are off the beaten track. But that can also make those visitors driving electric vehicles (EVs) a little bit nervous.
“Older EVs, especially the used EVs on the market today, have much lower distance ranges,” Jo Niehaus – an Oregon Parks and Recreation (OPRD) Policy Advisor – confirmed.
It’s one reason OPRD has, in the past year, added 17 charging stations in seven different parks including, on Feb. 8, 2023, four level-two stations in the South Falls Day Use parking lot of Silver Falls State Park.
“They are Rivian charging stations and are open to all electric vehicle models,” Niehaus said of the stations, which can add up to 25 miles of range for each hour they are used. “Thanks to a generous donation by Entec Polymers, visitors can charge for free until 2025. However, Silver Falls does require a $5 day-use parking permit that must be displayed even while charging.”
Both Entec Polymers’ and Rivian’s donations were secured with the help of the nonprofit, Adopt a Charger, which “aims to increase access to EV charging in parks and public spaces” by connecting those entities with funding.
But the actual implementation of that funding only became possible with the passage of House Bill 2290 in 2021, which made it possible for OPRD to begin installing charging stations at its facilities.
As to why these additions are necessary, “OPRD has been aware of the shift in transportation and increasing rates of EV adoption in Oregon and neighboring states,” Niehaus explained.
“As our visitors require different types of amenities to more easily access our park system, we are looking to take steps to learn more about what that means for our parks through this pilot project. It will give us an understanding of visitor use and behavior, resource impacts, maintenance requirements, staff workload and infrastructure impacts.
“The knowledge we gain and the feedback we receive will help us in future planning for our parks, campgrounds and visitor centers. In addition, we are looking at our own electrification needs, as well as seeing how we can improve our own environmental goals.”
In effect, these 17 stations are just the beginning with four more stations scheduled for installation at Rooster Rock State Park in the Columbia River Gorge later this year.
“For our visitors, the EV stations are a way to mitigate ‘range anxiety…” Niehaus said. “These charging stations will help alleviate some of that worry when visitors enjoy parks while their vehicles charge. It reduces pollution in a park, and keeps pace with the fact visitors are increasingly ready to use EVs.”
EV Charging Stations in Oregon State Parks
• Silver Falls State Park: four stations in the South Falls day-use parking lot
• Banks-Vernonia State Trail: two stations in the Banks Trailhead parking lot
• L.L Stub Stewart State Park: three stations in the Welcome Center parking lot
• Cape Lookout State Park: two stations in the day-use parking lot
• William M. Tugman State Park: two stations in the day-use parking lot
• Prineville Reservoir State Park: two stations in the side parking lot near the day-use lot
• The Cove Palisades State Park: two stations in the Crooked River day-use parking lot
