Preparing for Electric Cars

By Jenilee Rivera

     Many new models of electric cars are about to hit the roads. Think Nissan Leaf, GM's Volt, among others! How to recharge electric vehicles is becoming a serious concern. The US is far behind many other countries in this regard. A recent visit to Andorra, a tiny principality between Spain and France, revealed a popular option - plugging in when you park on the street.

     It is a complicated subject requiring all vehicle manufacturers to have a common system which in turn will be complemented by a common system of recharging. Some steps being taken include:

     Houston, Texas - the City of Houston has joined with Reliant Energy and Nissan to ensure recharging stations are ready for the Nissan Leaf. So far 10 charging stations, seven of them public, are ready.

     San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, California - These cities are partnering with Better Place, an electric-car company that plans to launch its vehicle in 2012. There will be 220 volt charging stations throughout the cities, permits will be expedited to allow fast installation of outlets and employer incentives will be put in place that will encourage employees to drive electric cars.

     Raleigh, North Carolina - Local utility Progress Energy has partnered with Nissan and the city to create a recharging infrastructure.

     West Sacramento, California - Retailer DMC Green Inc. opened its first electric-vehicle charging station in August 2009, the first of many retrofitted gas stations in California.

     Massachusetts - The state government and Nissan are developing plans for home, work and public charging facilities.

     Elk Horn, Iowa - The city installed four public charging stations in November 2009.

     In August 2009, the US Department of Energy awarded Electric Transportation Engineering Corp., a charging-station maker, $100 million to deploy more than 11,000 charging stations, and 4,700 Nissan Leaf vehicles in the following locations - Portland, Corvallis and Eugene, Oregon; Seattle; San Diego; Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, Tenn.