EV makers take their case to Salem

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Barefoot Motors' electric utility vehicle

Oregon’s electric vehicle industry will be on display Thursday, as a host of manufacturers and suppliers show-off their wares during a day-long event at the state capitol in Salem.

But the day will be more than just a showcase of talent. Industry leaders want to show that the state’s electric vehicle sector is growing and wants to make its presence known.

“The industry has been relatively silent on a lot of issues in Salem,” said Trevor Steele, director of government relations with Arcimoto Inc., a Eugene-based manufacturer of a three-wheeled, all-electric car, the Arcimoto Pulse. “This is our coming out.”

Arcimoto will be joined by Ashland-based electric ATV-maker Barefoot Motors in leading a lobbying effort focused on getting electric vehicle manufacturers included in the state’s Business Energy Tax Credit program. The legislature last year approved a tax credit for EV manufacturers, but it was tucked into a bill that was later vetoed by Gov. Ted Kulongoski because it would have cut incentives for wind energy developers.

Steele, who testified Wednesday in front of the Legislature on behalf of the BETCs said the tax credits would help start-ups like Arcimoto to better leverage outside investments.

“For every dollar a private investor puts in, we can get a match on that up to a certain amount from the BETCs,” he said.

The tax credits could also reduce certain manufacturing costs, such as custom tooling for body panels. The tax credit program could provide incentives for companies like Arcimoto to outsource that specialized work to other Oregon manufacturers.

Other than the lobbying efforts, the event Thursday will allow a handful of other players in the state’s electric vehicle space to display their products.

The companies displaying their products Thursday include:

• Electric car start-ups, including Arcimoto and Portland-based Green Lite Motors

• Ryno Motors, a Portland start-up that makes an electric-powered cross between a unicycle and a Segway

• Shorepower Technologies of Portland and Beaverton-based Optimization Technologies, both of which make charging stations.

• AmFor Electronics, a Swan Island manufacturer that makes electric wiring harnesses for electric car-makers.

“This is really our opportunity to showcase what the industry is about so far and what we see as the future of electric transportation in Oregon,” Steele said.