Portland State Magazine Winter 2011

I Test drivers can see whether the new Prius Plug-in is drawing from its lithium-ion batteries or its gasoline tank. I Portland, with cl1e highest per capita hybrid registration of any U.S. ciry, offers a receptive resting ground for EVs, which can cost considerably more than similar-sized gas-engine cars. The feder– ally funded EV Project chose Oregon as one of six stares to build a national EV charging infrastructure. As part of the EV Project, issan chose Oregon in December as one of its first markets for the Leaf electric car. PSU has been valuable as a "neutral third parry" cl1at can navigate among groups with a rake in the success of EVs, says Tracy Woodard, Nissan's direc– tor of governmem affair . PSU IS ALREADY helpingToyoLa audition its new Prius Plug-in Hybrid. The University received 10 of d1e 10 PORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE WINTER 2011 vehicles as one of six demonstration sites in the nation. "Portland State has just been a fantas– tic partner at allowing us access to all of mose different parrie and stakeholders that might be involved in some way in rhe move to electric vehicles," says Jana Hardine, environmental communica– tions manager for Toyota Motor Sales USA. "They've served as a great gateway and facilitator for those relationships." Beard lent the new Toyotas to a rotat– ing group of drivers, including Nancy Bond, a resource conservation specialist for Porcland Public Schools. Bond plugged the car into a standard wall outlet in her garage after work. ln three and a half hours it was charged and ready for her commute from West Linn to school di trier headquarters near downtown Portland. No, it cannot make me 23-mile round trip on one charge, bur it cur her gas mileage to an average 155 miles per gallon. "Ir's really very lovely to drive. I'm nor worried about getting stranded if the battery runs our, because it just switches over to gas," she says. A main cream embrace ofEVs may be 20 to 30 years away, says Beard. Bue P U is providing leadership now for both Oregon and the country. "1 am absolutely positive that we will be able to conclude that EVs will work for Oregonian most of the time," he said. " If we can't do it here, it ain't gonna happen." ■ Shelby Wood is II freelance writer based in Portland.