City Unveils Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
February 2, 2011
Greenville currently leads state with 16 units installed downtown
GREENVILLE, SC – February 2, 2011 – The City of Greenville and Plug In Carolina, a Charleston nonprofit sponsored by the state’s major utilities, today unveiled two electric vehicle charging stations in the Richardson Street Garage, the first set of 16 total units installed in downtown Greenville. The event was part of a statewide tour to mark the deployment of South Carolina’s multi-city electric vehicle charging network that will eventually feature 80 or more publicly available units throughout the state.
Over the last three months, the City has installed Eaton Pow-R-Station™ DC Quick Charger and Level 2 charging stations in downtown garages, including four in the Poinsett Garage and two in each of the following garages: Richardson Street Garage, Spring Street Garage, Commons Garage, Liberty Garage and Church Street Garage. Two charging stations were also installed near the Greenville Zoo in Cleveland Park. Greenville currently leads the state with more public charging stations than other city in South Carolina.
“This project represents our commitment to supporting emerging technologies, said Brian Graham, greenway & sustainability manager, City of Greenville. “It’s a ‘build it and they will come’ scenario. The primary charging station for electric vehicles will be at home, but public infrastructure is necessary to complete a state network of stations and to support visitors and business persons coming to town. These stations will allow us to meet future, anticipated demands.”
The project, which launched June 15, 2010, is funded by two state grants secured by Plug In Carolina through the South Carolina Energy Office. The City of Greenville received $60,000 of the grant funds for equipment and installation of the charging stations.
“Something special is taking place. Our state is one of the first to invest and create an electric vehicle charger infrastructure across multiple cities,” said James Poch, executive director, Plug In Carolina. “We are showing the nation that our citizens and businesses welcome these vehicles. I am very proud that Greenville is showing that leadership at the local level.”
The stations, which resemble gas pumps, take up to 4 hours to charge an electric vehicle once nearly depleted. These units will serve as a supplement to each vehicles primary charging station, which is the vehicle owners’ home charging station. Motorists will have the ability to use the City’s stations for free for the next three years.
About Plug In Carolina
Founded in 2006, Plug In Carolina is a nonprofit organization sponsored by the state’s major utilities: South Carolina Electric & Gas Co., Duke Energy, Santee Cooper and Lockhart Power. Its stated mission is to educate and promote the environmental, economic and national security benefits of plug-in vehicles.
