{"id":38852,"date":"2013-12-16T18:49:56","date_gmt":"2013-12-16T23:49:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/planetsave.com\/?p=38852"},"modified":"2013-12-16T18:49:56","modified_gmt":"2013-12-16T23:49:56","slug":"makes-town-ev-town","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/planetsave.com\/articles\/makes-town-ev-town\/","title":{"rendered":"What Makes A Town An "EV Town" — Normal & Others Show Leadership"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"EV<\/a>How come Normal, Illinois–about 150 miles south of Chicago–has ten times as many electric vehicles per capita than the U.S. average? (You’re right; it’s not just coincidence.) <\/em><\/p>\n

A coalition of business, industry, nonprofits, all levels of government, and farsighted individuals has converged to transform Normal into an EV town.<\/p>\n

And it’s not an exclusive community. The 300 or so plug-in cars<\/a> loved by the small city come from all the major 100% emissions-free manufacturers, including Nissan, Tesla, Mitsubishi, Ford, and Chevy. And 276 of these are non-fleet cars, having one- or two-car owners. It’s not a corporate thing. There’s a wealth of local chargers, including almost 50 level 2 facilities, a CHAdeMO DC quick charge unit, and five long-term Tesla Supercharger stations. All the juice they supply is currently free, though that policy may change as the number of EVs increases.<\/p>\n

By now, most of us understand the basic lure of the 21st century’s remake of Henry Ford’s triumphal motorcar. The electric vehicle has it all over gas-guzzlers<\/a>. It helps slow drastic change in the world environment due to climate change. It also reinforces the national benefits of not using fossil fuels, with their huge cost fluctuations, uncertain international supply constraints, and unfortunate association with modern warfare.<\/p>\n

More importantly, from many owners’ point of view, is the fact that electrics save a lot of money. Though diehards often cite battery life and driving range as disadvantages, battery technology is improving daily, and both leasing and long warranties are evening out the cost picture. Electric vehicles are starting to have greater dependability built in. With an electric car<\/a>, fuel and maintenance expenses drop dramatically. A simpler drive train and braking system cut down on the need for repairs. The ride involves better performance in many ways, less stress, less noise, and less air pollution for driver and passengers as well as those of us outside the vehicle.<\/p>\n

What makes all-electrics almost irresistible in this particular area of central Illinois?<\/h4>\n

It’s not only the federal government provision of an individual income tax credit of up to $7,500, and the less well-known incentives to business for charger development (which can total up to 30% of the price of charging stations).<\/p>\n

Other substantial benefits to individual users come from state and local actions. Illinois offers a tax rebate that can equal 10% of an EV’s retail price, up to a maximum of $4,000. Also, the state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity rebates installers of level 2 electric vehicle charging stations. Sales taxes also involve a rebate.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the city of Normal waives the electric permit fee for local public or private charging stations and provides excellent EV infrastructure. Normal used grants to purchase the level 2 stations throughout the town and install the quick charge unit, and this year approved the Tesla Supercharger stations, which Tesla pays for. Because city officials believe that installing and maintaining a payment system isn’t justified yet by the relatively small number of EVs using the stations, owner charging is currently free.<\/p>\n

Also, to direct public awareness, a coalition of government, corporate, business, and private citizens has sponsored an “EVTown Initiative.” You can see the EVTown video<\/a>, which describes the partnership, below. EVTown does not endorse any vehicle or related electric vehicle supply equipment. In September, area electric vehicle drivers and enthusiasts gathered at an EV tailgate party at the Parks and Recreation parking lot for the third annual National Plug-In Day, an unofficial holiday celebrated by about 100 cities throughout the U.S.<\/p>\n