ODOT Adds All-Electric Vehicle to Corvallis Fleet

By Heather Turner

CORVALLIS, Ore. -- It's one of the newest "green" cars on the market, the Nissan Leaf.? And Tuesday, some ODOT employees learned a little more about how the energy-efficient car works.

It's all part of their leading role in the transportation electrification project.

While it's new to the market, the Nissan Leaf is also the newest member of ODOT's Corvallis transportation fleet.

"It's very important to introduce new technology, reduce green house gas emissions and our dependence on foreign oil," said Bruce Erickson, ODOT fleet services manager.

It's just one of five that will eventually be placed in fleets in Corvallis, Salem and Portland.

The Leaf is an alternative to other vehicles employees would normally drive.

"For the light fleet vehicles commuting between here and other metropolitan areas, these are perfect," said Erickson.

The Corvallis office committed to driving the vehicle around 600 miles per month.

"We're very excited to be on the cutting edge of this deployment of the electrification of our transportation system and recognize this is a first step and just really thrilled," said Vivian Payne, ODOT area manager, Corvallis office.

Employees trained Tuesday will be among a core group who will drive the Leaf most frequently.

Quite the change from what they're used to driving, but one they say is worth the positive effects it'll have on the environment.

"It's really an exciting time as we look to the future and how we can contribute to a more sustainable transportation system," said Payne.

The five Leafs were paid for by state gas tax dollars to replace some older vehicles.

And with each one, they've received free home charging stations paid for by a federal grant.

ODOT will also install 30 EV fast-charging stations across Oregon for the public's use.? Paid for by federal funds and expected to be completed by the end of 2012.

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