Kwik Trip Boosts Electric Car Charging Presence - NACS Online

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Kwik Trip has started to install electric charging stations at all new stores, the Midwest Energy News reports. Thus far, 25 locations in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin have the 110-volt charging stations.  

Some have criticized the chain for such a low-power charger that will not fully recharge vehicles, but Kwik Trip says the stations provide the foundation for updating to higher voltage chargers in the future.

Thus far, Kwik Trip has not seen much use on its Level 1 charging stations, said spokesman Dave Ring. “We want to be ahead of the curve instead of reacting to it.” 

The chain received no tax incentives or government money for installing the chargers, but Ring indicated Kwik Trip would not rule out those avenues later on if higher-level stations are needed.

Across the country, gasoline stations and cities are considering the viability of offering electric charging stations. St. Paul, Madison, Kansas City and Chicago have, or will soon have, charging venues in public and private locations. On the West Coast, a coalition of private and public groups is working to construct a “green highway” of such stations from Vancouver to San Diego.  

“Most gas stations don't make money on gasoline, they make it on soda and coffee and potato chips,” said Howard Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center. “So it may well be that certain service stations or toll plazas will offer car charging to get people in the store to buy those things. It's a rapidly emerging market…We expect most people will tend to charge cars at home overnight when [electricity] market prices are lowest. But many will want the convenience of charging during the day.”

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Hertz Expands Electric Vehicles to Washington - NACS Online

WASHINGTON – Last week the Hertz Corporation announced the expansion of its Global EV initiative to Washington, D.C., adding all electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, including the Chevy Volt and Nissan LEAF to its fleet at Union Station.

Hertz is making the EVs available to members of Congress, employees on Capitol Hill and the general public through its car sharing operation.

“Washington, D.C., a major transportation hub in the northeast corridor, is a natural city for Hertz Global EV, and we look forward to helping move the 'electrification of transportation' dialog from policy to practice in D.C.; building awareness and interest in EVs and PHEVs among the city's residents,” commented Mark P. Frissora, Hertz chairman and CEO.

The EV and PHEV Hertz fleet in Washington will serve a testing ground for consumers as automakers ramp up production to achieve the goal of becoming the first country to have 1 million EVs on the road by 2015. The first vehicles will be located at Union Station, just blocks from Capitol Hill.

“This is an opportunity for policymakers to experience first-hand the capabilities and pleasure of driving advanced EV vehicles," said U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA).

Hertz car sharing has approximately 30,000 members and is available in six countries and on 54 university campuses. Hertz plans to deploy of EVs and PHEVs in both the U.S. and other countries throughout 2011. Hertz is uniquely positioned to introduce multiple groups of consumers — urban drivers, university students, travelers and corporations — to all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. As part of its strategy, Hertz is forming partnerships with automakers, charging station providers, municipalities, NGOs, corporations and other stakeholders. To date, the company has ordered vehicles from GM, Nissan, Toyota and Mitsubishi, and has signed an agreement with NRG Energy Inc. to support development of a charging infrastructure and services for electric vehicles (EV) in Texas.

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