How to Use the Electric Vehicle Chargers on Electric Avenue

Electric Avenue is a one block stretch of SW Montgomery St in Portland, Oregon that is covered with EV charging stations. It is flanked with CHAdeMO fast chargers on each end. There are eight car parking spots and Level 2 charging stations (the standard for modern EVs) populate the other 6 spots. Additionally there is a standard household outlet (Level 1) in the center area with bicycle parking where you can plug in your ebike.

This area is part of a 3 year study of charging habits and usage patterns. The project is currently 2 years old.

Below is a How-to Guide written by our friends at Electric Avenue:

On Electric Avenue, electricity to recharge your EV is free, but standard parking rates apply, until 7pm

   

How to pay for parking:

Buy your parking sticker at the tall green SmartMeter pay station, display the receipt in your driver-side window (because this is angle-parking). Electric Avenue is located in downtown Portland; downtown parking meters operate from 8am to 7pm, Mon thru Sat, and from 1pm to 7pm on Sun, unless otherwise posted; except for meter holidays. The current rate for on-street parking in the Downtown district, including Electric Avenue, is $1.60 per hour.

How to use the charging stations:

The two fast chargers, Eaton Level 3 and Kanematsu, do not require memberships, but you will need to interact with the charger screen and/or physical button on the machine -- follow the on-screen instructions to activate charging or to stop charging.

OpConnect (the short green machine) requires that you interact with the charger's screen -- when you plug in, your car will beep like it's charging, but this is just a 5-minute interim charge session; you need to then select from bottom of the charger screen which PORT you are using (either 1, 2, 3, or 4); then swipe your membership card -OR- enter your email address on the screen.  If you don't swipe card/enter email, the charger will only run for five minutes, and then shut off.

The GE, Shorepower, Eaton Level 2 and SPX chargers are all plug and play (plug car in and you're done).

A schematic of the chargers on Electric Avenue (which identifies them by Level 1, 2, and 3) is attached, or you can go to http://tinyurl.com/l8nfdem

This June 2012 schematic shows where on Electric Avenue the Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 chargers are located.