Calling All Electric Vehicle Enthusiasts!

[Metro Jacksonville]

Calling All Electric Vehicle Enthusiasts!



If you drive a VOLT, LEAF, Tesla or other Electric Vehicle (EV), or are thinking about purchasing one, here's a chance to meet fellow EV owners and tell local transportation and JEA officials where we need charging stations in our area.

Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-apr-calling-all-electric-vehicle-enthusiasts

[coredumped]

I think in the next year or 2 we're really going to start to see the prices drop on electric vehicles. I've heard rumors that the next volt could be under $40k with gov incentives. Getting there!

[mvp]

The Volt is under $27K with tax credit and Leaf is under $22K with tax credit.  A lot of sweet lease deals available too.    There will be a Leaf test drive at the event and quite a few Teslas coming!

[JayBird]

I like these cars, however I currently have a 2007 GEM car (used I be marketed by Chrysler, think glorified golf cart) that I use to tool around Fleming Island and I have experienced one effect, the only sound is the tires on the road, and this WILL startle bike riders, joggers, dogwalkers. The USPS uses electric vehicles to deliver mail in NYC and they are creepy at times.

I believe the biggest problem is overcoming peoples fear that they will be stranded without power. Even if we never travel more than 40 miles from home, we like the fact that we can if we wanted to. That after all is why we ride cars instead of horses.

[JayBird]

Also I would like to know that wherever I plug my car in to charge that the plug won't be pulled by some smartass prankster.

[spuwho]

There is 1 Fisker Karma floating around Jax. I would like to see them there.

[ProjectMaximus]

I will be at the event! Curious to see the timeline on possible public or private charging stations around the city. Right now the only ones I know of are at Town Center, the airport and at each of the Nissan Dealerships.

[ProjectMaximus]

Quick update: They held another rally a week ago in celebration of National Drive Electric Week. It was sponsored by JEA, NFTPO, Whole Foods and various car dealers. Small but enthusiastic crowd...felt smaller than the April event.

JEA's big announcement was a new rebate program. Either $1000 or $500 for the purchase/lease of a new EV, depending on the vehicle.

The TPO tells me that supposedly there are several dozen charging stations in the works...but they've been telling me the same thing for half a year now. I really hope this is true but not really expecting anything.

On the bright side, four stations opened just a few weeks ago in the Water Street Garage downtown. Stations are free but you must pay standard fees to access the garage. I haven't tried it out yet and not sure if I will have reason to anytime soon. I'm wary (perhaps irrationally) of having Jax garages close early and not being able to retrieve my car. Anyway, these four stations I think are billed as a public-private partnership with CSX.

Got to take a BMW i3 for a spin...pretty nice vehicle.

[Ocklawaha]

Tesla has a charging station at the Outlet Mall in St. Augustine. Town Center has a generic one.

[ProjectMaximus]

I believe the biggest problem is overcoming peoples fear that they will be stranded without power.

True. Range anxiety is something that takes awhile to get over, and even once you do it still affects your behavior to some degree. Nissan (and I'm sure other dealers as well) attempt to alleviate this with a toll-free number that can be called at anytime for free towing.

Also I would like to know that wherever I plug my car in to charge that the plug won't be pulled by some smartass prankster.

Yes, this could be an issue. The Leaf allows you to follow the charging status online so you'd at least know when this happens.

Tesla has a charging station at the Outlet Mall in St. Augustine. Town Center has a generic one.

Yeah, Tesla has six super chargers there I believe! So unfair for us non-Tesla drivers! The SJTC has two stations, and the cost is INSANELY high. I've never seen anything like it before...the mileage conversion means it's actually fairly cheaper to buy gas than to charge there. I would only use it if I was in an absolute bind.

[ProjectMaximus]

JEA has just announced its charging station network plans!! Operated as the Chargewell Network, they are offering $300k to fund individual stations up to $7500 each.

If you are a property owner with a commercial JEA account and are willing to make one or two spaces available, you can apply to have a charging station built on your property.

I am excited!! By my calculations this means at least 40 new stations coming to town!

https://jea.com/Ways_to_Save/Go_Green/Plug-in_Electric_Vehicles/PEV_Charging_Station_Application/

[mvp]

Actually it's the North Florida TPO that's providing the $300,000 and has branded it the ChargeWell network.  They are partnering with JEA who will provide installation and maintenance.  You can get all the details at the February 10 Alternative Fuel Vehicles Expo:

http://www.northfloridatpo.com/news/dont_miss_the_february_19_florida_alternative_fuel_vehicles_2015_expo/ 

Vehicles at the Expo will include Chevy Volt, Nissan LEAF, Cadillac ELR, BMW i3, Tesla, EV charger, CNG Honda Civic, CNG Ford pick-up, CNG sanitation truck, propane Ford F-250 truck, propane Ford F-350 van, propane police cruiser, propane powered zero turn lawnmower, propane school bus and Superior tank display.  Most of the electric vehicles will be available for test drives!

[ProjectMaximus]

Thanks for the correction, mvp! And for providing me with the info to begin with lol.