(Portland, OR, Tuesday, September 11, 2018) – This week marks the 7th annual National Drive Electric Week which serves as a rally cry for everything that electric vehicles represent. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, nearly 30 percent of US greenhouse emissions come from transportation – and people are taking notice: electric vehicle sales increased 21 percent last year and in total the automotive industry is expecting 127 battery-electric models to be introduced worldwide over the next five years.

Brianne Hyder with Portland General Electric has insight into the growing electric vehicle trend.

SOUNDBITE #1:

OUR WORLD AND OUR INDUSTRY ARE FACED WITH NEW AND EXCITING CHALLENGES DRIVEN BY EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY, CHANGING CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS AND A SHARED DESIRE FOR A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE.

soundbite #2

OUR CUSTOMERS LEAD THE NATION IN VOLUNTARY RENEWABLE POWER PROGRAMS, AND PORTLAND WILL BE HOME TO ONE OF THE FIRST ALL-ELECTRIC BUS LINES. AN ELECTRIFIED TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR ALL OF US – AND WE ARE COMMITED TO MAKING IT HAPPEN.

For more information on national drive electric week and/or how Portland General Electric is leading the way forward for a clean energy future, visit portlandgeneral.com.