The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) opened the third round of its National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) grant program on Oct. 21, 2026. The round makes $15,949,230 available to private applicants who build public DC fast-charging stations along 10 interstate, U.S. and state highways. ODOT estimates the money will pay for at least 20 stations. Applications are due at 5 p.m. PST on Jan. 22, 2027, and the agency aims to announce conditional awards by the end of February 2027.

The round opens while Oregon's NEVI program is still mostly on paper. According to ODOT's program page, the first NEVI-funded station in Oregon, at a 76 gas station in Gladstone, is expected to open in December 2026. The 24 stations selected in Round 2 are heading toward construction, with agreements signed with all seven grantees, and ODOT expects at least five of them to open in the first few months of 2027.

The questions below cover what Round 3 funds, what applicants must commit to, and how it fits with the earlier rounds.

Which roads are covered?

ODOT's program page lists 10 corridors for Round 3:

  • Interstates: I-5, I-82, I-84 and I-405
  • U.S. routes: US 20, US 26, US 95, US 97 and US 101
  • State route: OR 42

The Round 3 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) does not offer one statewide pot of money. It splits the $15,949,230 into per-corridor allocations, such as $2,333,835 for I-5, $3,000,000 for US 20 or $4,000,000 for US 26. Applicants may apply for one or more corridors, and a cost proposal that exceeds a corridor's available funding is disqualified. When Electrek covered Round 2 in April 2026, it reported that ODOT planned to aim the next round at rural gaps.

Round 3 also takes in a corridor from earlier in the program. ODOT says it cancelled an existing agreement for stations on I-5 south of Eugene, after the selected company could not move forward, and added I-5 south of Eugene to Round 3.

What does a station have to include?

The NOFO sets these minimums for each funded site:

  • At least four charging ports capable of charging at 150 kW continuously and simultaneously.
  • Uptime of 97% or greater. The NOFO asks applicants for an operations plan to reach 97% uptime, and says annual operations and maintenance payments are subject to a penalty for ports that miss a 97% average annual uptime threshold.
  • Public access. The program funds public DC fast charging. ODOT's Round 2 announcement described DC fast charging as able to recharge some EVs from 10% to 80% in less than 30 minutes.

Round 3 scoring also rewards things beyond the basics. Cost proposals are scored on total project cost divided by the number of 150 kW ports proposed, so a bid that delivers more qualifying ports for the same money scores better. Applicants also earn extra points for additional NACS (SAE J3400) ports rated at 150 kW or more, beyond the minimum of four CCS ports. NACS is a connector standard for charging. ODOT says the Round 2 stations each have at least four 150 kW CCS ports, and several will also offer NACS connectors.

Who pays for what?

NEVI grants do not cover the full cost of a station. Applicants must put up at least a 20% match, according to both ODOT's program page and the NOFO, which says federal funds cover up to 80% of eligible project costs on a reimbursement basis. The private company that wins a corridor award builds and operates the station, with federal formula money paying for part of it.

The money comes from Oregon's share of the federal NEVI formula program. ODOT says the state receives $52.2 million over five years, from federal fiscal years 2022 through 2026: $7.7 million in the first year, then $11.1 million in each of the next four years.

How far along are Rounds 1 and 2?

All figures below come from ODOT's program page and Climate Office bulletin, as of October 2026.

  • First NEVI-funded station (planned): a 76 gas station in Gladstone, which ODOT expects to open in December 2026.
  • Round 2 (selected April 24, 2026): ODOT announced its intent to award $16.7 million to seven private companies for 24 stations on I-84, US 20, US 26, US 97 and US 101. Each station will have at least four ports and some as many as eight, for a total of 126 new DC fast ports.
  • Round 2 contracts: ODOT says that as of October 2026 it has executed agreements with all seven grantees, who are working through pre-construction stages. It expects at least five sites to open in the first few months of 2027.
  • Independent coverage: Electrek reported in April 2026 that several Round 2 stations were expected online within 12 to 18 months.

Here is how the rounds compare. Round 2 carried an intended $16.7 million award for 24 stations. Round 3 offers slightly less, about $15.9 million, for an estimated 20 or more stations. The Round 3 count is ODOT's estimate. The real number will depend on which bids win and how many 150 kW ports each one offers per dollar.

Timeline

  • April 24, 2026: Round 2 grantees selected. 24 stations, 126 ports, $16.7 million.
  • Oct. 21, 2026: Round 3 opens.
  • December 2026: Oregon's first NEVI-funded station (76, Gladstone) expected to open.
  • Early 2027: At least five Round 2 sites expected to open.
  • Jan. 22, 2027, 5 p.m. PST: Round 3 applications due.
  • End of February 2027: ODOT's target for Round 3 conditional awards.

What It Means for Drivers

Today, nothing changes. Round 3 is an open call for proposals. No stations have been chosen, no sites have been named and nothing has been built. The new money adds no charging capacity until bids are awarded next year and stations are built after that.

In the coming months, NEVI stations are expected to start opening. If ODOT's schedule holds, drivers will be able to use the first NEVI-funded station, the 76 in Gladstone, in December 2026. At least five Round 2 sites on I-84, US 20, US 26, US 97 or US 101 are expected to follow in the first few months of 2027. Those are planned dates, not confirmed openings.

Round 3 stations will come later. Conditional awards are targeted for the end of February 2027, and ODOT has not published opening dates for Round 3 sites. Electrek reported that Round 2 stations were expected within 12 to 18 months. Neither ODOT nor Electrek has said whether Round 3 will follow the same timeline.

What a funded station should look like: at least four ports that can each deliver 150 kW continuously and public access, operated under a 97% uptime requirement. Whether a station has NACS plugs will vary by site. NACS ports are not required, but Round 3 awards bonus points for them, so some bids may include them.

Where to watch: Round 3 covers the I-5, I-82, I-84 and I-405 interstates, US 20, 26, 95, 97 and 101, and OR 42. That includes I-5 south of Eugene, which ODOT added to Round 3 after cancelling the earlier agreement.

Readers who host or install charging equipment should note that this article covers grant terms only. Any electrical work belongs with a licensed electrician following the manufacturer's instructions.

Sources