Charge 'er up! Eustis is first with 'refueling' station for electric vehicles

TAYLOR VERNARSKY

Ferbruary 12,2009

EUSTIS -- Eustis will become the first city in Central Florida to create and operate a solar-powered charging station for alternative transportation. The station, which will be situated at Eustis and Clifford Sreets, will be introduced to the public later this month.

The "refueling" station is a partnership between the city of Eustis and RubeLab, a not-for-profit corporation involved in the development of technologies to solve environmental issues while serving as an economic catalyst for Eustis and surrounding communities.

"It's a pretty exciting time to see the first project come to life," said Eustis Commissioner Bill Ferree.

Ferree, who is one of the founders of RubeLab, said he hopes the construction of this "Rube Station" leads to more opportunities in terms of alternative transportation. The partnership with RubeLab should create a new economical and fun way to travel around the Golden Triangle, he said.

The electric vehicle charging station will officially be introduced to the community at the "RubeLab on the Green" event on Feb. 28 and March 1. The event, which coincides with the city's annual GeorgeFest, will feature presentations on different modes of alternative transportation.

"It really is the first of its kind," said RubeLab board member Joan Bryant. "Eustis is on the cutting edge."

 

The Rube Station took five months to this point, said RubeLab vice chair Taylor Johnson.

Johnson said they worked with local businesses, including Advanced Solar Photonics based in Lake Mary, which will donate a 12- by 16-foot photovoltaic panel to convert solar energy into electricity, and Spencer Fabrications in Tavares, which will oversee construction of the station's roof and pedestals.

The station unveiled this month will only be a prototype without the solar panels because of a production shortage at Advanced Solar Photonics. Johnson said the station should be fully active by summer.

The city will install a support slab at about $1,000 and waive development and permitting costs at about $260. Eustis will also pay the station's electric bills, receiving credits for the solar electricity generated and sold back to Progress Energy.

RubeLab will construct, maintain, monitor and collect data from the Rube Station as part of the agreement with the city.

 

Without donations, the entire station costs about $20,000.

The Rube Station is small compared to typical gas stations. A full-size parking spot can accommodate three slots for small electric vehicles to hook up to 110-volt electrical outlets, officials said.

In addition to the charging area, the station will feature a bench and shelter for pedestrians.

Electric cars are not the only vehicles that can utilize the new charging station as "anything street legal or sidewalk legal can benefit from it," Johnson said.

Electric vehicles usually take about six to eight hours of charging before they can hit the road, with drivers charging them overnight. The Rube Station can charge vehicles to 50 percent power in less than a hour.

 

After they are fully charged, they can travel as far as 40 miles, enough to complete daily tasks within town, Johnson said.

 

The charging station is coming at a time when local attention is being turned to greener industries.

 

In Lake County's new strategic economic development plan, adopted last year, several target industry sectors were identified, including clean technologies. In addition, many Lake County cities are in support of the proposed SunRail project for Central Florida, officials said.

 

"The station is part of the whole picture for more greener, cleaner, smarter, transportation infrastructure," Ferree said. "It's a consensus of things to come."

Source: http://www.dailycommercial.com/021009Rubelab