© 2024 | Jefferson Public Radio
Southern Oregon University
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6301 | 800.782.6191
Listen | Discover | Engage a service of Southern Oregon University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Oregon Lawmakers Want To Ban Gas Vehicles From Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

An electric vehicle is charging up outside of the Oregon capitol.
Chris Lehman
/
Northwest News Network
An electric vehicle is charging up outside of the Oregon capitol.

We know it's illegal to park in a disabled parking spot if you don't have a permit. Now, some Oregon lawmakers want to make it a costly infraction to take a spot reserved for electric vehicles.

A House committee Friday approved a measure that would allow a fine of up to $250.

"It came to me actually from a constituent who is an electric vehicle owner and who would drive up to spots that are reserved, and find them occupied by a non-electric vehicle,” said Democratic Rep. Jeff Reardon, the measure's chief sponsor.

Reardon said shutting a legitimate user out of a chance to juice up can be a huge inconvenience. The measure now advances to a vote by the full Oregon House.

A similar law is already on the books in Washington state. Poaching an electric vehicle spot there can get you a $124 fine.

Copyright 2015 Northwest News Network

Chris Lehman
Chris Lehman graduated from Temple University with a journalism degree in 1997. He landed his first job less than a month later, producing arts stories for Red River Public Radio in Shreveport, Louisiana. Three years later he headed north to DeKalb, Illinois, where he worked as a reporter and announcer for NPR–affiliate WNIJ–FM. In 2006 he headed west to become the Salem Correspondent for the Northwest News Network.