Visitors attending conferences, consumer and trade shows and special events at two of Metro’s visitor venues can now charge their electric vehicles during their stay. The same is true for guests of the Metro Regional Center.
Last month, installation of Blink EV charging stations in the public parking areas of the Oregon Convention Center, Portland Expo Center and Metro’s regional headquarters was completed, allowing drivers of electric vehicles to park and plug in with ease and convenience.
Minimal upfront and operational costs were required for Metro thanks to a partnership with San Francisco-based Ecotality, Inc., a leader in clean electric transportation. In 2009, the firm was chosen by the U.S. Department of Energy to pilot the development and production of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in six states and 18 major metropolitan areas. Cities along the Interstate 5 corridor, including Portland, Corvallis, Salem and Eugene, are among the cities participating.
Key data will be collected and analyzed from approximately 14,000 charging stations that will be deployed through the pilot project and used to inform a next, more streamlined, phase of charging station deployment. Ultimately, 5 million electric vehicle charging stations are planned across the United States.
Supporting the use of electric vehicles through installation of Metro’s electric vehicle charging stations is one of Metro's many strategies to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. In 2009, the Metro Council adopted climate change as a key policy priority, and Metro’s transit oriented development program and Climate Smart Communities initiative, as well as the agency’s Sustainability Plan, which includes internal actions and goals designed to enhance the agency’s sustainable operations, among others, share this focus.
The enterprise venues were also eager to participate, having earned a national reputation for leading sustainability efforts among the convention and exhibition industries.
"The availability of EV charging stations is an important amenity to offer our customers," said Brittin Witzenburg, the Oregon Convention Center's sustainability coordinator. "With our long list of green meeting clients, EV charging stations are now a necessity, and we’re thrilled to be able to meet their needs."
EV drivers must use a Blink Card to access electricity at the three Metro facilities. The card is available for free at www.blinknetwork.com. A Blink Network map is also available on the site.