Fifteen employers join the Department of Energy's Workplace Charging Challenge; electric vehicle chargers are "the next bike rack" for employers

PORTLAND, OREGON (July 24, 2014) - At the EV Roadmap 7 Conference in Portland today, officials from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Drive Oregon, Intel, Portland General Electric (PGE), the State of Oregon, and other regional businesses announced their participation in DOE's Workplace Charging Challenge – a collaborative effort to increase the number of U.S. employers providing access to electric vehicle charging stations for employees.

With 76 stations across 11 campuses in the U.S., Intel Corporation is one of the five largest providers of workplace charging in the Energy Department initiative. Marty Sedler, Intel's Director of Global Utilities and Infrastructure, said, "As a leading technology company, Intel is pleased to help our employees make sustainable transportation choices, and we hope our example will inspire others."

The State of Oregon became the first U.S. State to join the Challenge. Ashley Horvat, Oregon's Chief EV Officer, noted that, "Oregon has long been a pioneer in promoting sustainable transportation choices, and recently Governor Kitzhaber signed a multi-state action plan to promote zero emission vehicles. We are pleased to lead by example, enabling our employees to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by choosing clean electric vehicles."

Charlie Allcock, Director of Business Development at Portland General Electric, stated that, "PGE is committed to helping companies rise to the Challenge of offering employees more clean transportation options. We're here to help with technical assistance, build out the infrastructure and share best practices so more Oregonians can experience the benefits of driving electric."

Robin Rabaroff of IBEW 48, the first U.S. labor union to join the Challenge, emphasized that "the electric vehicle industry is creating high-quality jobs here in the U.S., and we want to encourage our employees and members to buy these great new vehicles."

Drive Oregon, a nonprofit Ambassador for the Workplace Charging Challenge, recruited employers and provided awards recognizing their participation. "Oregon is a leader in supporting bike commuters and transit riders," noted Drive Oregon Executive Director Jeff Allen. "For employers that want to support clean transportation options, electric vehicle chargers are the logical next step - the next bike rack."

In presenting the recognition awards, DOE Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Mike Carr thanked these employers for their leadership. "As the market for electric vehicles continues to grow, employers who join the Workplace Charging Challenge are making it easier for drivers to adopt the technology, save money, and reduce carbon pollution," he said.

The Energy Department recognizes fifteen employers for their commitment to the Workplace Charging Challenge today:

200 Market Associates
City of Beaverton
City of Hillsboro
Classique Floors
IBEW #48
Intel
JLA Public Involvement
Lane Regional Air Protection Agency
Mentor Graphics
OpConnect
Portland General Electric
Providence Health & Services
Shorepower Technologies
SolarWorld
State of Oregon

About the Workplace Charging Challenge

The Workplace Charging Challenge is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy under the EV Everywhere Grand Challenge which aims to enable U.S. companies to produce electric vehicles that are as affordable and convenient as today's gas-powered vehicles by 2022. Employers interested in learning more about the Workplace Charging Challenge can visit www.electricvehicles.energy.gov or contact WorkplaceCharging@ee.doe.gov.

About Drive Oregon

Drive Oregon is the epicenter for innovation in electric mobility, connecting leaders and entrepreneurs to advance the industry and strengthen our economy. Drive Oregon's mission is to grow the electric vehicle industry and promote electric transportation in Oregon. Drive Oregon is funded in part with Oregon State Lottery Funds administered by Business Oregon. Drive Oregon is also an Ambassador for the Workplace Charging Challenge, and employers can visit http://driveoregon.org/lead/at-your-workplace/ or contact zach@driveoregon.org for more information.