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Friday, March 29, 2024 - 02:49 AM

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

First Published in 1994

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF
UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

Free-Charging-Sations---5-1

In 2009 Greenville County installed dual electric car charging stations with funds awarded through the Recovery Act: County of Greenville, SC Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. These stations are located outside of 301 University Ridge. For over three years these charging stations have been available to the public free of charge.

The electricity that powers each station ties into the building’s electricity and is not a separate entity. Although it is reported that the stations are used sparingly, the funds to support these stations come out of the building’s electricity fund.

The purpose of the award is to implement the County’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy in order to reduce fossil fuel emissions; reduce total energy use of eligible entities; and improve energy efficiency in the building sector, transportation sector, and other appropriate sectors, along with creating jobs.

According to the Project Summary website, 3.98 jobs were created out of the $3,132,915 funds awarded. Other projects included building sidewalks, an air awareness campaign, lawn mower exchange, promotional giveaways for school campaign, diesel emissions reduction seminar and training of codes inspectors.

Greenville has also implemented a car-share program that uses the electric vehicles Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf. The car-share program was created for people looking for an alternative method of transportation and it provides downtown office tenants, residents and hotel guests with the convenience of a cost effective, responsible and eco-friendly way to get around.

The car-share is a collaboration of GE, Duke Energy, the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, the Green Ribbon Advisory Committee and representatives from Enterprise Rent-A-Car. The cars are operational through WeCar by Enterprise.

WeCar by Enterprise is part of the City’s “Greening of Greenville” initiative, which kicked off in July 2011 and included three components: a pilot LED street lighting program on North Main Street; a review by Duke Energy of at least four buildings under its Smart $aver Incentive Program and the launch of the EV Ecosystem.

The EV Ecosystem now has more than 40 vehicle charging stations installed throughout Greenville County and a number of businesses have rented electric vehicles from Enterprise, including Harper Corporation, Kemet, SCTAC and GSP International Airport.

Although Greenville County knew about the upcoming car-sharing program when they installed the dual charging stations, they were not installed because of the program. All electric car charging stations in Greenville County are not free, but the ones located outside of County Square are. Though they aren’t equipped with the ability to charge payment for use at the moment, the County has reported that the plan for the future is to equip each charging station with a method of taking payment.

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