Charging stations in Oregon and recycled bumpers by Mazda

(The Associated Press)

Travel boost
Oregon has received a $2 million federal grant that will finance 22 fast-charging stations in smaller cities in the northwestern corner of the state. The stations will be no more than 50 miles apart, and will radiate from Portland, stretching 80 miles to the northwest, 50 miles to the east, and 120 miles south.

(Mazda)

Recycled bumpers
Mazda has begun recycling scrapped bumpers from end-of-life vehicles into raw material for new vehicle bumpers. The automaker will initially employ the bumpers on the Biante minivan (shown), and the recycled plastic will eventually comprise about 10 percent of each new bumper produced.