City of Portland deploys solar-powered charging system for City electric vehicles

The EV ARC™ 2020 is an off-grid solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging system that generates and stores electricity through its integrated 4.4 kW solar array and 40kWh battery and supports two vehicle charging ports. 

In addition to advancing the City’s climate goals, the mobile charging stations offer a range of key benefits:

• Low operating costs, making electric vehicle charging more economical.
• On-site renewable energy generation that directly powers zero-emission vehicles.
• Enhanced emergency preparedness, with off-grid charging capabilities and an emergency power panel that can supply electricity to various electronic devices.
• Deployment flexibility, allowing the mobile units to serve temporary or transitional locations—such as sites under development or those with short-term charging needs.

View full size image of emergency power source included with City's new solar-powered charging systems

“We’re thrilled to add these versatile and climate-friendly units to our portfolio,” said Director of the Bureau of Fleet & Facilities Maty Sauter. “We know that transportation significantly contributes to carbon emissions, and we’re proud to continue Portland’s legacy of leadership in innovative climate solutions."

While most of the City’s charging needs will be fulfilled with permanent, grid-tied charging infrastructure, these three solar units add flexibility to CityFleet’s charging portfolio, providing off-grid charging capability and doubling as mobile emergency preparedness and energy-resilience assets. The EV ARC™ 2020 even folds into a low-profile structure for transportation.

CityFleet purchased these stations with funds allocated through the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund’s (PCEF) Climate Investment Plan. 

Two of the stations currently serve locations that do not have hardwired EV charging, and they will be relocated once permanent charging is installed. The other is permanently situated at the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management headquarters where it will support emergency operations.

View full size image of BEAM mobile solar-powered charging system for city’s electric vehicles

About the City’s Fleet Electrification Strategy

CityFleet’s long-term goal is to be a net-zero carbon fleet by 2050, as guided by the City’s 2022-2025 Climate Emergency Workplan. In the near term, with assistance from its PCEF allocation, CityFleet plans to convert 700 vehicles in the fleet from fossil-fuel engines to battery-electric, or about 30%, by July 2029. This transition also includes building out electric vehicle charging infrastructure at City sites where vehicles are based. CityFleet expects to install at least 300 charging ports to support City fleet charging needs.

City’s Fleet Electrification work delivers numerous benefits, including lower fuel and maintenance costs, better local air quality through decreased vehicle emissions, opportunities for workforce development, and significant reductions in fleet-wide greenhouse gas emissions.

About CityFleet

CityFleet is the largest municipal fleet in the State of Oregon, owning over 3,250 fueled and 275 non-fueled vehicles that together in FY 2023-24 drove 13.8 million miles and put in over 102,000 equipment work hours. CityFleet supports all City bureaus, and in doing so, acquires, maintains and repairs over 150 types of vehicles and equipment spanning heavy duty, medium duty, light duty and off-road vehicle classes. CityFleet operates six maintenance garages, 18-hours per day, Monday through Friday.

About the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund

The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) initiative was passed by 65% of Portland voters in November 2018. It provides a consistent, long-term funding source and oversight structure to ensure that our community's climate action efforts are implemented to support social, economic and environmental benefits for all Portlanders, particularly communities of color and low-income residents. The initiative was supported by a broad coalition of groups and individuals and represents the first environmental initiative in Oregon led by communities of color.