ORS 283.401: Report concerning utilization of zero-emission vehicles within state; recommendations for legislation.

(1) On or before September 15 of each odd-numbered year, the State Department of Energy shall submit to the Governor and an interim committee of the Legislative Assembly related to the environment a report on adoption of zero-emission vehicles in this state and the progress the state is making to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. The report shall provide: (a) A review, using existing studies, market reports, polling data or other publicly available information, of the market in this state for zero-emission vehicles and any barriers to adopting zero-emission vehicles in this state; (b) An assessment of the state’s progress in promoting the goals set forth in ORS 283.398; and (c) The date on which the state is predicted to meet the goals set forth in ORS 283.398. (2) The department may contract with third parties to assist in performing the duties described in subsection (1) of this section. (3) The department shall assess the state’s progress under subsection (1)(b) of this section. The assessment must focus on commercially available, or near-commercially available, zero-emission vehicle technology, to the extent possible, and rely on existing studies, data and analysis. In the assessment, the department shall evaluate: (a) Whether the transportation sector is on course to reduce the share of greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles, as defined in ORS 801.360, consistent with the greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals set forth in ORS 468A.205. (b) The sales figures and numbers of zero-emission vehicles that are owned in Oregon, including forecasts as to whether: (A) By 2020, 50,000 registered motor vehicles will be zero-emission vehicles; (B) By 2025, at least 250,000 registered motor vehicles will be zero-emission vehicles; (C) By 2030, at least 25 percent of registered motor vehicles, and at least 50 percent of new motor vehicles sold annually, will be zero-emission vehicles; and (D) By 2035, at least 90 percent of new motor vehicles sold annually will be zero-emission vehicles. (c) The sales figures and numbers of zero-emission vehicles that are owned in Oregon, differentiated, to the extent feasible, by demographic factors, including whether persons that own zero-emission vehicles reside in urban or rural areas. (d) The availability and reliability of public and private electric vehicle charging infrastructure that is needed to support the targets for zero-emission vehicle sales and registration identified in paragraph (b) of this subsection. The department shall assess reliability under this paragraph only if the department requests and obtains information on reliability from providers of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. (e) The incremental purchase cost difference, before and after federal and state incentives, between the purchase cost of a zero-emission vehicle and the purchase cost of a comparable vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine. (f) The zero-emission vehicles that are available for purchase in all market segments. (g) Oregonians’ awareness of motor vehicle options, the benefits of owning zero-emission vehicles and the true costs of motor vehicle ownership. (h) The carbon intensity of fuel consumed by the Oregon transportation sector as a whole. (i) The general progress toward electrification of all fossil fuel-based transportation modes. (j) Opportunities to minimize impacts to the electric grid from transportation electrification, including rate design, managed charging, vehicle-to-grid services and electricity conservation techniques. (k) In consultation with the Department of Transportation, the impact of the sales and ownership of zero-emission vehicles on revenues that would otherwise accrue to the State Highway Fund under ORS 366.505. (4) If the State Department of Energy determines that the state is not on course to meet the goals set forth in ORS 283.398, the department shall make recommendations in the report required by this section, including recommendations for legislation. Recommended legislation: (a) May not mandate required levels of motor vehicle sales. (b) Must promote the zero-emission vehicle market, address barriers to adoption of zero-emission vehicles in the light-duty portion of the transportation sector, encourage transportation electrification and further the goals set forth in ORS 283.398. [2019 c.565 §2]