The need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and practice better environmental stewardship is undeniable and long overdue. Ever-rising gas prices, a tricky global market and irreversible environmental damage caused by the pollution of burning fossil fuels have reaffirmed the urgency to find alternative fuel sources to displace our reliance on traditional gas-powered vehicles. Investing in green fuel technologies is a viable solution that potentially offers a plethora of environmental and economic benefits. While there has been a good push toward alternative fuels such as E-85 and biodiesel as well as hybrid gas-electric automobile sales, full electric vehicle technology has made little impact in the market because of limited public exposure, shorter travel ranges and limited access to recharging stations. But times “they are a-changin’,” and Greenville is leading the way both nationally and globally with the advent of General Electric’s (GE’s) Electric Vehicle (EV) Ecosystem test project.
Part of a three-pronged “Greening of Greenville” effort that also includes LED lighting upgrades and energy audits for commercial buildings throughout the city, the EV Ecosystem is a pilot project coordinated by GE that will be the first of its kind in the United States. A proving ground for the growing EV market, more than 40 GE charging stations will be installed by Thurso Power Systems throughout downtown and other key city locations, including Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Spinx, Furman, Clemson and a host of other area businesses.
Deb Frodl, chief strategy officer for GE Capital Fleet Services and global EV leader for GE says the alliance formed between GE and Greenville has tremendous promise. “GE Energy employs over 3,300 people in Greenville, where we manufacture advanced gas turbines and engineer a multitude of technologies. The City of Greenville has been a leader in promoting and adopting cleaner, more efficient technologies. GE shares Greenville’s belief that great economics and great environmental performance are not mutually exclusive, and we have a strong platform to do great things together. This natural partnership has become a catalyst that has brought other businesses together with similar beliefs resulting in this great EV program.”
But what good would charging stations be without access to electric vehicles? Doug Harper, President of Harper Corporation, which is one of the initiative key supporting partners, states it best, saying, “It is a true ‘chicken-or-egg’ situation. In order to drive electric vehicles you have to have charging stations and to build charging stations there has to be a need. In this case, the infrastructure had to come first. It was a unique opportunity, and we were the first company to sign up in support.”
For Harper Corporation, the EV initiative was right up their alley. The company has touted their strong focus on sustainability as the majority of their staff is LEED certified and the core values are built around the ethical and moral responsibilities to protect the environment. “Harper Corporation first entered as a participant in the EV initiative after watching a presentation at CU-ICAR regarding the three-pronged greening effort,” says Doug Harper. “As a multi-generational Greenvillian, I strive to always be very supportive of the community, and this initiative is just good business plus there is the undeniable ‘cool factor.’”
Harper Corporation bought and installed a charging station at their downtown Court Street location and is currently awaiting the arrival of a leased electric vehicle for company use. More than 15 other area businesses and organizations are also undertaking an installation of one or more charging stations while eight are adding electric vehicles to their fleets.
“GE is very excited about EV adoption. As with many new technologies, driving awareness and experience allows consumers and businesses to enhance deployment. Based upon our great relationship with the City of Greenville and our strong employee base, we’ve worked together to bring electric vehicles to the city. Our work involves multiple partners, including Enterprise Rent-A-Car, so that Greenville residents can rent electric vehicles at convenient locations to increase their familiarity with the car, the charging and the benefits including lower fuel costs and emissions. Businesses have also pledged to utilize electric vehicles to do the same. By bringing these vehicles to Greenville and working with the city and partners to deploy GE charging stations, we believe we can help accelerate adoption,” says Frodl.
Enterprise Holdings, which operates Enterprise Rent-A-Car, says that as a company owning and operating the world’s largest fleet of passenger vehicles gives them a unique perspective and vested interest in identifying and implementing the best solution in emphasizing alternative-powered vehicles. Working in conjunction with GE and other organizations to implement the EV program is only one component of the rental car provider’s alternative fuel portfolio.
Enterprise is also working with the EPA’s E85/FlexFuel Test Program and has undertaken a hybrid vehicle initiative, operating the world’s largest fleet of fuel-efficient vehicles including around 7,000 hybrid vehicles. “Enterprise is introducing electric vehicle rentals to give Greenville drivers an opportunity to experience EV technology – whether it’s a test drive before purchasing an electric car, curiosity or simply because they want a fuel-efficient rental option,” says Cheryl Rothenberger, director of Business Rental Sales for Enterprise in Greenville.
Though final details are still being ironed out, Enterprise plans to make electric vehicles available through its WeCar program and from select Rent-A-Car locations in Greenville. The WeCar program is a cost-effective and convenient transportation solution for participating organizations and members. It operates the industry’s largest fleet of fuel-efficient rental options and incorporates automated rental technology.
“Incorporating electric vehicles into WeCar programs and at select rental locations is a natural extension of our tradition of providing the local car rental services that are an integral part of any community’s sustainable mobility and transportation infrastructure,” says Rothenberger. “Many drivers use WeCar to run errands across town instead of using their own vehicles or even in place of owning a personal car. Electric vehicles also have the necessary driving range to cover most of the average commuter’s driving needs. We’re proud to use our Enterprise Rent-A-Car neighborhood network and WeCar car-sharing to help make Greenville’s EV Ecosystem a reality,” says Rothenberger.
This EV initiative takes great technology from the showroom and places it directly in the hands of the citizens. “Those who have the opportunity to experience these electric vehicles will be able to see the benefits first hand. We applaud the early adopters who will buy these vehicles strictly due to their environmental benefits. For mass adoption, we need citizens to realize that these are well designed, fuel efficient and exciting. Improving our resource security and lowering dependence on gasoline is important for many countries, including the US. The quicker the adoption, the faster the benefits will be realized,” says Frodl.
Gary Davis, a Partner at Nachman Norwood & Parrott, is one example of a local citizen who is pleased to see the EV initiative come to Greenville. Davis purchased a Chevy Volt and introduced it to Greenville this past January. Though the car can be charged on any standard 120V outlet, Davis and NNP took it one step further, installing a solar panel on the roof of NNP’s downtown office building in order to generate power for the Volt as well as supplement the office’s energy supply. “I have always been environmentally-conscious and driven by the desire to go green,” says Davis, who has previously owned other fuel-efficient vehicles and committed to green practices such as organic gardening. “As a current Volt owner, the EV initiative is exciting for both me and the Greenville community. With more infrastructure in place, I can attend a concert at the Peace Center or go downtown on the weekend and have charging sites available and convenient for me. Plus, with more opportunities to charge, other Greenville citizens will be more inclined to purchase and or drive their own electric vehicles more often, inevitably helping to reduce our city’s carbon footprint.”
Harper says Greenville’s progressive ideals in technology and innovation, its economic development initiatives in workforce development, a strong support network, and the city’s size makes it the logical choice for GE’s pilot program. “This initiative is a comprehensive effort of business along with city and county-wide organizations working together to promote our community on a global scale, bring in green jobs and set the pace for EV initiatives worldwide.” The initiative promises not only to promote electric vehicle technology but also to propel Greenville into the spotlight with numerous environmental and economic benefits. “Greenville is becoming one of the first cities in the U.S. to have a fully functioning EV infrastructure. The community will be further established as a leader in sustainability, attracting companies and jobs to the area,” says Frodl. “Down the road, a large scale acceptance and adoption of electric vehicles will help the Upstate lower its dependence on foreign oil and reduce carbon emissions.” Electric vehicles are expected to hit the Greenville scene this fall. “As you can imagine, electric cars are a hot item and still in limited supply. That said, through Enterprise’s relentless work we anticipate having cars on the ground in early October and the program fully functional shortly thereafter,” says Frodl.