Connecticut DOT Commissioner James Redeker, Connecticut Electric Car Founder Ed Ingalls and Connecticut DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty attend the state's first Electrical Vehicle Expo this summer and are committed to making Connecticut the first EV-friendly state in the country by 2014.(August 17, 2013) |
August 17, 2013
Connecticut Electric Car in Newington is poised to help Connecticut become the first EV-Friendly state in the country. Connecticut officials plan to use $200,000 from a settlement withNortheast Utilities and NStar to help double the number of electric car recharging stations in the state by the end of this year.
"As the demand grows for electric vehicles, so too does the need for charging stations," said Connecticut Electric Car Owner Ed Ingalls.
The State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) in tandem with the State Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the new initiative at an Electric Vehicle Expo earlier this month at Middlesex Community College. Officials say the goal is to "is to bring an end to range anxiety" regarding electric vehicles. Connecticut Electric Car was in attendance at the expo.
"DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty and DOT Commissioner James Redeker said they want Connecticut to be one of the first EV-friendly states by 2014," said Ingalls.
Connecticut Electric Car has already played a key role installing several municipal charging stations across the state in high profile locations including Blue Back Square and Bishop's Corner. As the state moves the initiative forward, the company hopes to expand the footprint of charging stations across the state.
"The state's new initiative will do a lot for people's comfort level when it comes time to choosing an EV," said Ingalls. "People will have peace of mind knowing they'll always have a place to get a boost in their battery."
Automotive industry research shows more people are opting to buy versus lease electric vehicles. The cost of driving an EV in Connecticut is equivalent to driving a vehicle that is able to refuel at $1.70 per gallon.
Connecticut Electric Car installs commercial, municipal and residential charging stations. General Motors, GMC, maker of the Chevy Volt electric vehicle (EV), Nissan, maker of the Nissan Leaf, and BMW, maker of the I Series EV, have named Connecticut Electric Car an authorized installer for their electric car charging stations for all dealerships in the state.
To charge an electric car, the owner simply drives up to the charging station and plugs in their EV. The website https://www.fueleconomy.gov lists the following benefits of owning an EV: Energy efficiency, environmentally friendly, better performance and reduced energy dependence since lectricity is a domestic energy source.
"Most EVs can now travel about 100-175 miles before a charge of their battery is needed," adds Ingalls."Therefore, as more EVs are sold, the demand continues to go up for charging stations."
EV charging systems are available in three levels:
- Level 1: 110 Volt primarily residential
- Level 2: 220 Volt commercial, municipal and residential use
- Level 3: 480 Volt strictly commercial and municipal
Newington Electric Company (NEC) is the parent company of Connecticut Electric Car. The company is licensed in the State of Connecticut by the Dept. of Consumer Protection and holds an unlimited electrical contracting license. For more information regarding charging stations and tax incentives see http://www.ctelectriccar.com Or https://www.energizect.com or https://www.ct.gov/deep/evconnecticut.
