The PGE Drive Change Fund

Got an electrification project that needs funding?

From transit buses and passenger vehicles to electric bikes and community service vehicles, the PGE Drive Change Fund is all about electrifying transportation in Oregon. The DCF is made possible through the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Clean Fuels Program. Since its inception in 2019, the Drive Change Fund has awarded millions of dollars to projects, including new electric vehicles and chargers, to help electrify transportation in Oregon. Do you have a local electric vehicle adoption, EV charging infrastructure or education project you would like us to fund? Get in touch.

How the Drive Change Fund works

We provide grants for:

Preference is given to projects:

  • Hosted by a public or non-profit organization.

  • Utilizing full battery electric vehicles (BEVs)

  • Engaging directly with environmental PGE justice communities.

  • Providing a substantial education, environmental, and economic benefit to the community and PGE customers.

Grant funding timeline and process

The 2023 Drive Change Fund grant cycle has now closed. The 2024 Drive Change Fund grant cycle will open with updated applicant resources in February 2024.

This is an open and competitive application process. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by a third party, in accordance with established evaluation criteria. Award funding is limited and will differ from project to project based on applicant request and available funding. 

Key milestones
*tentative date

Date

February 1, 2023

Milestone

PGE begins accepting applications online

Date

March 31, 2023

Milestone

Application closes at 5 p.m. PST

Date

Last week of September

Milestone

Awardees announced during National Drive Electric Week

Date

June 30, 2025

Milestone

Deadline for project completion

Get started

Make sure your project meets the requirements.

Review the program resources below to make sure your project meets the DCF requirements, preferences, goals, and scoring criteria.

Build a team.

Gain support within your organization and with project partners and community members.

Ask for help.

Communicate with the Grants Manager and Technical Experts with any questions. Reach out at PGEDriveChangeFund@pgn.com

Get organized.

Put together your project details, discuss available funding sources, and develop a project timeline.

Turn it in on time.

Complete and submit your application online between February 1 and March 31, 2023.

Applying to the Drive Change Fund

The 2023 Drive Change Fund grant cycle has now closed. The 2024 Drive Change Fund grant cycle will open with updated applicant resources in February 2024.

Review our list of resources. We’re here to answer any questions you have at PGEDriveChangeFund@pgn.com.

2023 Drive Change Fund winners

Through our Drive Change Fund, millions of dollars have been awarded to organizations throughout Oregon who are helping build a clean energy future.

Made possible by the Drive Change Fund

Native American Youth and Family Center employees are excited about their new electric vehicles.

“We are extremely grateful to PGE for providing us with a Driving Change Fund Grant. The funding allowed us to not only purchase two electric vehicles for our Meals 4 Kids program but install three electric vehicle charging stations in our Central Office parking lot. Employees and volunteers who own electric vehicles can charge while they work. And, we have been able to expand the reach of our Meals 4 Kids program in a green way, which helps maintain our standing as one of 100 Best Green Workplace in Oregon.”

– Suzanne Washington, CEO of Meals on Wheels, 2020 Drive Change Fund award recipient

PGE Electric School Bus

The PGE Electric School Bus Fund is excited to bring more electric school buses to Oregon. Are you a public school district in PGE service area? Get in touch.

Matching Funds

Do you need to fund a transportation electrification project? In addition to the Drive Change Fund and Electric School Bus Fund, we also offer matching of external funds. Learn more about our funds here.