Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe opens universal EV charging station in Canyonville
CANYONVILLE, Ore. — Seven Feathers Casino Resort and 7 Feathers Truck & Travel Center celebrated the grand opening of the largest non-Tesla electric vehicle charging station in Oregon Tuesday, the Tribe said in a media release.
Built by Electric Era and installed by Umpqua Indian Utility Cooperative, the charging station “brings fast, reliable, and universal EV charging to a rural area of Southern Oregon that sees hundreds of thousands of travelers, but has spotty services for clean transportation,” the Tribe’s media release stated.
The EV charging station is located just off Interstate 5 at Exit 99 and is able to serve 12 vehicles using battery-backed technology that provides level 3 fast-charging. A complete charge for most electric vehicles is estimated to take between 15 and 35 minutes, and cost less than $25, the Tribe says.
“This is a very important step forward in our green initiatives for the coming years. The Cow Creek Umpqua Tribal Board of Directors has indicated interest in exploring energy independence, and what that would look like in many forms for our Tribal businesses,” said Cow Creek Umpqua Chairman Carla Keene at the grand opening. “We feel that this rapid, universal electric vehicle charging station supports our overall mission of making decisions that benefit our Tribal citizens and our community for seven generations into the future. The Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe is supportive of seeking alternative forms of energy, and supportive of transportation that omits pumping pollutants and greenhouse gases into the air. The forests and mountains in Canyonville deserve clean air, just like all of us in Southern Oregon.”
“The staff at 7 Feathers Truck & Travel Center have been incredible partners in our mission to bring reliable and affordable EV fast charging everywhere. We are thrilled to support their leadership in electric transportation with the launch of Oregon’s largest non-Tesla EV fast charging station on their Tribal land,” said Electric Era CEO Quincy Lee. “This collaboration showcases Seven Feathers’ commitment to providing cutting-edge amenities while promoting clean energy and economic growth. We are proud to work alongside them in expanding critical EV infrastructure and making reliable charging more accessible. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain dedicated to partnering with forward-thinking organizations like Seven Feathers to accelerate the adoption of clean transportation for a more electric future.”
Electric Era was founded by former SpaceX engineers, and “works to make EV fast charging reliable, affordable, and ubiquitous,” the Tribe said. “The company partners with Tribal refill retailers and convenience store owners in rural and underserved communities to deliver high-speed, grid-friendly charging through their EV Fast Charging Stations. Each station is equipped with hardware, software, and services that ensure 98%+ reliability.”
The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and its economic division, Umpqua Indian Development Corporation, own and operate the Exit 99 campus, which includes Seven Feathers Casino Resort, Creekside Hotel and Suites, Seven Feathers RV Resort, 7 Feathers Truck & Travel Center, and Cow Creek Health & Wellness Center.
