April 29, 2026 3:30 a.m.  

Covering coastal Douglas County:

The City of Reedsport is celebrating the new Reedsport EV Charging Station.

A city release said that while an electric vehicle charging station may seem like a small infrastructure addition, for a small coastal, rural community, like Reedsport, they can play a surprisingly large role in economic vitality, tourism, and long-term sustainability.

As Reedsport sits along U.S. Highway 101 and Highway 38, two major coastal travel routes, and since EV drivers plan trips around where they can charge, that means that while their vehicle is charging – often for 20 to 45 minutes – EV drivers are likely to eat at restaurants, shop locally and explore attractions like the Umpqua Discovery Center.

The release said for a place like Reedsport, EV chargers essentially act like modern fuel stops that keep travelers in town longer.

The four new EV chargers were made possible through grants from the Oregon Department of Transportation, Travel Southern Oregon Coast, and the Oregon Coast Visitors Association. Their installation was made possible through community partnerships with Central Lincoln Public Utility District and Elkhorn Electric, who supported the work of the City of Reedsport’s Community Development and Public Works Departments.

The EV Charging Station is now in operation, following a grand opening and ribbon cutting last week.

For more information about the City of Reedsport, go to: https://www.cityofreedsport.org/