Photo: PGE
Portland General Electric (PGE) announced that the "Electric Avenue" charging stations at the World Trade Center have powered over one million miles of electric vehicle driving since 2015. That is equivalent to driving across Oregon 2,500 times. January 2017 was the highest use month ever recorded at 17,280 kilowatt hours, or 4,547 miles of driving. The World Trade Center uses 100 percent Renewable Energy for all of its operations.
Electric transportation is significantly more environmentally friendly than gasoline-powered cars. The one million miles powered by Electric Avenue means that Oregon drivers avoided burning approximately 46,950 gallons of gasoline, and eliminated approximately 418 metric tons of CO2 emissions.
"We're thrilled that Electric Avenue has reached this milestone," said Carol Dillin, Vice President Customer Strategies and Business Development at PGE. "Electric Avenue was the first in the nation to offer drivers so many quick-chargers in one spot. Drivers know there will be a charger available for them, that works for their car, when they need it. It's clear that making it easy and convenient to charge up can really boost electric transportation, and that's good for everyone. Driving electric is good for the earth, good for our customers, and it can help make our grid stronger too."
PGE's Electric Avenue has been a centerpiece of Portland's electric transportation infrastructure since it was first installed on the Portland State University Campus in 2011. In 2015 Electric Avenue was expanded to include four dual-standard quick-chargers that can accommodate almost any type of electric vehicle, and moved to Salmon Street in front of PGE's headquarters at the World Trade Center. Usage has nearly doubled since it was installed in its new location.
This increased usage closely tracks the growth of electric vehicles in Oregon. In 2011 when Electric Avenue was launched there were 1,856 electric vehicles registered in Oregon. By June 2016 there were 10,836 electric, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell vehicles on the road in Oregon.
By the numbers:
* 1 million miles of driving powered by Electric Avenue- enough to drive across Oregon 2,500 times
* 46,950 gallons of gasoline that weren't used because of Electric Avenue
* 418 metric tons of CO2 emissions eliminated because of Electric Avenue drivers
* 68% growth in Electric Avenue usage from January 2016 to January 2017
* 583% growth in EV registration in Oregon from 2011 to 2016