Oregon

Why is it like this in Oregon?

Oregon electricity rates of about 13.4¢/kWh still favor electric driving for a PHEV — but the margin has been shrinking steadily. Oregon's two major utilities have raised rates roughly 50% since 2020, with another round of increases from Pacific Power and PGE in early 2026. Governor Kotek publicly challenged the utility commission over the sustained increases. If the current rate trajectory continues, Oregon may cross into gas-wins territory within a few rate cycles.

In the news · Oregon

• State regulators approve more electricity rate hikes for Oregonians in 2025

  Oregon Capital Chronicle · Dec 20, 2024

  Oregon's PUC approved a 9.8% increase for Pacific Power and 5.5% for PGE effective January 2025, with residential rates now ~50% higher than 2020 — significantly reducing the per-mile cost advantage of electric driving over gasoline for Oregon PHEV owners.

• Pacific Power, PGE raise residential electricity rates again for Oregon customers

  Oregon Capital Chronicle · Mar 31, 2026

  Oregon's two major utilities raised residential rates again in early 2026, continuing a multi-year escalation driven by wildfire costs and renewable buildout — each incremental increase narrows the margin by which electric miles beat gasoline for PHEV drivers.

• Gov. Kotek seeks answers from state utility commission amid public outcry over rising utility rates

  Oregon Capital Chronicle · Mar 25, 2025

  Governor Kotek's intervention signals that Oregon's sustained electricity rate increases have become a political issue — the cumulative ~50% rise since 2020 has materially compressed the cost advantage that once made EV charging in Oregon an obvious win over gasoline.

Curated coverage of Oregon's EV/PHEV cost, policy, and infrastructure story. External links open in a new tab.

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