2 April 2009
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has issued a first-in-the-nation solicitation for charging equipment to service electric vehicles (EVs). At the request of local entities and electric utilities throughout the state, ODOT is using its public/private partnership authority to establish consistent standards and uniformity in building an EV charging infrastructure for Oregon.
Oregon is poised to lead the nation in the early adoption of plug-in electric vehicles. Having one common, open system for all types of vehicles is the only way this will be successful. This effort to promote consistency in the EV charging network is vital to gaining public recognition and acceptance of the new technologies coming on the market.
—Gail Achterman, chair of the Oregon Transportation Commission
Among the technical requirements for qualified proposals are:
- Support for SAE J1772 Level 1 and Level 2 charging
- Compliance with SAE recommended practice J1772 “SAE Electric Vehicle Conductive Charge Coupler”
- The EVSE (electric vehicle supply equipment) must be equipped with leakage and ground current monitors with interruption capabilities;
- A minimum one year warranty on all EVSE, including repair or replacement.
- Operation without any decrease in performance over an ambient temperature range of -22 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of up to 95%.
- Manual reset capabilities on the EVSE with instructions to enable the end user to reset the EVSE in the even of an over current or leakage/ground current interruption.
A desirable, but not required feature, is a NEMA 5-20R, 120VAC/20 amps receptacle to accommodate plug-in hybrid and neighborhood EVs not equipped with the SAE J1772 coupler.
The RFP will be open for 90 days. ODOT plans to execute purchase agreements and have entities in Oregon begin deployment of EV charging infrastructure in September-October of this year.
ODOT is also pursuing grant opportunities to accelerate the state’s EV infrastructure initiative. The US Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program received a $300 million boost from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and is encouraging qualified entities to apply for funding for sustainable projects.
April 2, 2009