Infrastructure that would allow recharging stations for electric vehicles to be established in the Phoenix and Tucson areas, including Sahuarita, is in the works.
In December, a partnership between ECOtality North America and the Pima Association of Governments' Clean Cities program will begin installation of the infrastructure to support Level 2 recharging stations in the state, says Colleen Crowninshield, Tucson Clean Cities manager.
Between 260 and 300 stations will be the Tucson area, and two of those are planned in or near Sahuarita - one at the Fry's Marketplace in Rancho Sahuarita and one possibly at Desert Diamond Casino at Interstate 19 and Pima Mine Road, Crowninshield says.
In addition, perhaps as many 20 DC Fast recharging stations are planned, with one near Interstate 19 in Sahuarita, she said. These stations, which can provide an 80 percent recharge of an electric vehicle's battery in 20 minutes, are larger and more expensive than the Level 2 stations.
The time is right because Nissan in December is launching its LEAF, a compact, five-passenger, all-electric car, in five states: Arizona, California, Washington, Oregon and Tennessee. It will be the first factory-built EV launched by a major automobile manufacturer since the EV1, Crowninshield says.
The LEAF is rated for highway use and will be able to travel 100 miles on a full charge. It's price will be about $36,000, and EV buyers will be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit. Another break: Arizona will charge only $28 annually for an owner to register an alternative-fuel vehicle. It is estimated that fully recharging a EV battery at home will cost a driver $3 per charge. What recharge stations would charge is uncertain, Crowninshield said.
She notes that Bookman's - which sells used books, music, movies, magazines and more at its six Arizona stores - offers EV recharging free.
Installation of the recharge infrastructure is being paid for with a federal stimulus grant awarded to ECOtality, a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies, she says. The San Francisco company is contracting with businesses, churches and other groups that would like to host a recharge station for environmentally friendly electric vehicles, according to Crowninshield.
Those interested may contact her at 520-792-1093 or at ccrowninshield@pagnet.org.
Source: Green Valley News & Sun, Karen Walenga
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