Watch Jay Leno take a look at the new VIA Motors VTrux – and love them! If you’ve been wanting a gas saving SUV or pickup truck this is the best of all possible worlds. It uses the same idea that makes the Chevrolet Volt save so much gas and even adds a power export option so you can run power tools or your house with the batteries and onboard, range-extender generator. Take a look and let us know what you think in the comments.
Monthly Archives: April 2014
Downtown Melbourne EV Fast Charger Ribbon Cutting
Here’s a sneak peek at the ribbon cutting event that took place at downtown Melbourne’s newest EV charging station. The first DC fast charger in Brevard County, FL. The Space Coast EV Drivers were invited to do Q & A with attendees at the ribbon cutting. Stay tuned for photos and videos from the event. Lots of electric vehicle drivers were on hand to celebrate the unveiling.
Recharge your EV with a Volcano!?
http://www.carswithcords.com/nissan-leaf-recharged-volcano/
Here’s a neat article about a Nissan Leaf owner in Hawaii that used up most of his car’s battery climbing the long winding road up a dormant volcano mountain then had a full battery again when he got back down. Thanks to the regenerative braking that all electric cars, plug in hybrids, and regular hybrids have he was able to recharge the battery coming back down the mountain. This is something you can only do with electric cars!
We’ll be at Melbourne Beach Founders Day
Our next event will be at the Melbourne Beach Founders Day. We’ll be setting up our tent and table and banner as part of the car show on Ocean Avenue. Drop on by and ask real electric vehicle owners any question you have about driving electric! Go here for more information and the whole day’s schedule: http://www.melbournebeachfl.org/Pages/MelbourneBeachFL_News/01CE537B-000F8513
When
Saturday, May 3, 2014
We’ll set up at 9:30 am as part of the car show that will be 10 am to 3 pm.
Where
Town of Melbourne Beach, Florida
Ryckman Park and Ocean Park
Chevy Volt Owners Love Their Cars!
Take a look at what people are saying about owning the Chevy Volt in a The Sierra Club newsletter – including one of our very own members!
http://action.sierraclub.org/site/PageNavigator/2014_April_directors_message.html
Ribbon Cutting for New Electric Car Charging Station at City Hall
We’ll be at the ribbon cutting for the new CHAdeMO charging station installed at the Melbourne City Hall in front of the parking garage. You should see our tent and table and banner set up for the public to ask any questions they may have about EVs and even take a test ride or two. We’ll have information and other print outs to give away to help decide which EV is right for you.
WHEN:
April 22, 2014 (Earth Day)
5:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
WHERE:
Melbourne City Hall, 901 E. Strawbridge Ave., Melbourne, FL 32901
The event will take place in the front parking lot. Attendees may park in the garage.
WHAT:
The public is invited to attend the opening of the City of Melbourne’s newest electric car charging station. The new station is a Level 3, 480 Volt direct current fast charger. Several electric vehicles are capable of accepting the Level 3 CHAdeMO charge including: Nissan LEAF, Mitsubishi i-MiEV and Tesla (with adapter). The cost to charge will be $0.13 per kWh,* and the station will be accessible and open to the public 7 days a week/24 hours a day.
WHO:
The mayor will deliver opening remarks, and a Melbourne resident will be the first to “plug in” his electric vehicle. City engineering and sustainability staff will be on hand for questions.
WHY:
The City of Melbourne is staying ahead of the curve by installing the infrastructure to support and encourage the use of alternative fuel vehicles. This is the second charging station to be installed by the city. The first was installed in April 2013 in front of the Eau Gallie Library. Our goal is to add one station each year. The City will continue to seek funding from granting organizations and other sources. Future stations will also be located near activities of interest so that drivers using the stations will be able to enjoy city amenities while charging their vehicles.
Every US Volvo could get plug-in hybrid option
This looks promising! The higher-ups at Volvo are hinting at having a plug in hybrid (similar to the Chevy Volt) option for every model they sell. This mean you could get the gas only version and be stuck paying whatever price they set for gasoline or you can pay a little extra up front and have the option for electric with gasoline as a secondary fuel for those rare, longer trips. Take a look: http://green.autoblog.com/2014/04/17/every-us-volvo-could-get-plug-in-hybrid-model/
3D Printed J1772 Plug Holder
Do you use the portable 110V charger for your Chevy Volt or other EV as your main charger? Do you ever wonder where to put the plug after you’ve removed it from the car? Do you just drape it over the charger box or just set it on a nearby shelf? Do you wish there was a nice spot you could just put the plug in like at a public charging station? Wish no more! With the advent of 3D printers you can now simply download this plug holder and print it out in hard plastic. Then just bolt it to the wall near the charger and you can plug it in just like you’ve always wanted. Take a look at the pictures to see it in action. Leave us a comment if you wanted one of these and/or would use one. And if you have a 3D printer this is the link to the file I used to print it: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:153449
Party for the Planet
Don’t forget that we will be on site at the Brevard Zoo for their Party for the Planet today from 10-3 talking to local folks about the benefits of driving an electric vehicle.
We hope to see you there!
Our First Electric Vehicle Event in Melbourne, FL
Hi All!
We know you have been waiting to see where our first community event would be so you can come check out Voltron the Red Chevy Volt! Our “no compromise electric vehicle.” We are happy to announce the wait is over!
This Saturday April 12th 2014 we will be at the Brevard Zoo’s Party for the Planet from 10 AM to 3 PM. Look for our tent, banner, and the red Chevy Volt to be parked directly across from the entrance to the Zoo. We can not wait to see you there.
For more info about the Brevard Zoo’s Party for the Planet event please check out their websites Special Events Page. The Zoo is located at 8825 North Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32940