If asked to name the epicentre of America’s green car push, most would rightfully highlight California. However, in recent months Oregon has emerged as an electric car frontrunner in its own right.
Not only has the city of Portland shown a lot of forward thinking towards sustainability, and even expressed an interest in bringing Chinese automaker BYD Auto to the city, but now Oregon City, a suburb south of Portland has unveiled its own kerbside charging station.
To mark the occasion resident Mark Mongillo plugged in his converted electric Fiat as the foundations for growth in electric car infrastructure were laid. The charging station, built by Shorepower Technologies of Portland, is one of four that have been installed in the region and can charge up to four electric cars at once using 120V plugs. At that rate it would take around four hours to complete a full charge – meaning most users would perhaps go on a shopping trip or go for a coffee while they wait for their vehicles to be ready.
The scene at the unveiling of the station was, by all accounts, something to behold. A small crowd gathered to watch as Mongillo plugged his electric car into the seven-foot station. They waited for a noise… or a light… but no, nothing came. Instead Mongillo simply remarked ‘it’s working’ and some light applause broke out.
While electric cars may be close to silent it’s clear there is a lot of noise about their future in Oregon.
