For any electric vehicle drivers out there or people interested in learning more there is going to be an event at Wholefoods in Mandarin on September 17th. There a few Tesla Model S, BMW i3, and Nissan Leaf drivers that have already signed up. You can check out the details here: https://driveelectricweek.org/event.php?eventid=330 (https://driveelectricweek.org/event.php?eventid=330)
I was at last year's event and every type of EV available around here was present. Owners were happy to show off their cars and a few dealers were there letting people take test drives. It was a no-pressure affair and way different than my experiences going to dealerships in the past.
-ST5K
Quote from: stantron5k on July 29, 2015, 10:00:55 AM
For any electric vehicle drivers out there or people interested in learning more there is going to be an event at Wholefoods in Mandarin on September 17th. There a few Tesla Model S, BMW i3, and Nissan Leaf drivers that have already signed up. You can check out the details here: https://driveelectricweek.org/event.php?eventid=330 (https://driveelectricweek.org/event.php?eventid=330)
I was at last year's event and every type of EV available around here was present. Owners were happy to show off their cars and a few dealers were there letting people take test drives. It was a no-pressure affair and way different than my experiences going to dealerships in the past.
-ST5K
Any indications if a Fisker Karma will be there?
I have seen a black one around town periodically and would like to get a closer look. They will be as rare as a Tucker fairly soon as people stop driving them.
No idea. There are only five of them in the area. I had a chance to meet the owners of a black one at UNF a while back. They expressed that they had some concerns about the vehicle. If I remember correctly they were involved in a lawsuit to get Fisker (or someone else) to buy the vehicle back.
It's a sharp looking vehicle on the exterior and the PV on the roof was interesting. The interior didn't strike me as impressive as pictures look. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to drive or ride in it. Hopefully one will be at the Whole Foods event.
The assets of Fisker were taken over by the DOE and the IP was sold to a Chinese firm.
There is still some legal action pending on their behalf.
The lawsuits around the loss of several vehicles at the port due to Hurricane Sandy are still winding their way through the courts. Fisker lost over a 100 Karmas due to fire and salt water damage.
There is also some civil suits pending due to 2 fires caused by some defects.
Valmet who assembled the vehicles in Finland is still awaiting their final payment for the last assembly run.
There were several recalls in flight, most of them around a coolant leak issue and a fan failure. It is the fan failure issue that caused the 2 fires.
The insurance companies are the ones that are trying to get them bought back because they dont want them out on the road anymore.
If you cant get insurance, then they cant be driven in public highways.
Good rundown on the (original) Fisker debacle. I guess we'll see if the reborn brand ever gets on its feet.
Talk about a bummer... having a $100k car that can't be driven on public roads since insurance is unobtainable. :(
Not to drift too far off the thread here.....
The "New Fisker" as a company is supposed to have a coming out this year after some corporate gyrations.
In the mean time the Chinese firm that owns the rights has merged with an American firm that wants to drop a Corvette motor into the Karma and call it the Destino.
Reportedly there is a new factory being built in Mississippi that will restart production.
Pictures of the Destino testing in Death Valley were posted on Autoblog in 2014. The New Fisker is promoting themselves now, so maybe a return of the Karma may happen afterall.
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/08/29/lutz-fisker-based-wm-destino-spy-shots/
Just confirmed that the Fisker Karma will be there!
This event is a great opportunity to meet EV owners and learn about their driving experience first hand. You will be able to test drive a BMWi3, Cadillac ELR, Nissan LEAF and Chevy Volt courtesy of Tom Bush BMW, Claude Nolan Cadillac, Coggin Chevrolet Avenues and Coggin Nissan Avenues.
There will be Chevy, Nissan, BMW and Tesla EV apparel and accessories giveaways, music and refreshments.
And finally,learn about the new ChargeWell EV charging stations that will be installed beginning in September.
Register now to get event updates - www.driveelectricrally.com (http://www.driveelectricrally.com).
Drive Electric Rally
Thursday, September 17
5-7:30 PM
Whole Foods Market
10601 San Jose Blvd.
There are 73 people registered for the Jax event so far. There are also Drive Electric events in Tally, Orlando, Satellite Beach/Space Coast, Miami/Pinecrest, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Tampa/Oldsmar and two in Ft. Lauderdale. We're ahead of everyone except Orlando at 83 people.
The Nissan Leaf folks are sending some free swag - backpacks, water bottles, sunglasses, etc. and Whole Foods in providing refreshments. If you drive an EV please come and share your story for a video! If you're "thinking about it" stop by and get the scoop in a low pressure environment from folks who will give you the real deal. The Mayor even signed a proclamation declaring Sept. 12-20 Drive Electric Week and encouraging citizens to consider EVs!
Details are at www.driveelectricrally.com (http://www.driveelectricrally.com).
Just returned home from the event. Pretty good turnout for Jax. Answered some questions, met some people. But, I'm REALLY disappointed in a few of the sites that were chosen to receive free EVSE (chargers). For example, A Stitch in Time, a knitting/sewing store is getting one. Venny Automotive (?) is also getting one. And, two lower schools are getting one (UNF is as well, but that's longer term parking that makes sense). I don't get it. I spoke to someone from TPO and she said they received very few business requests - that boggles my mind. Free chargers, free installation, and the business can make a (very) small profit on the electricity. I and several other EV owners asked businesses to request one and none did. Makes no sense. So now TPO/Chargewell is going to install them at a places few people spend more than a few minutes at? Where's the gym and recreation centers?
I am glad to see the zoo and the museum are getting them - finally. And, there's going to be one in San Marco. A bunch are going in downtown and Riverside too. I just don't get why TPO didn't say "no" to the businesses where they will rarely be used by anyone other than the employee that turned in the form.
I paid a visit to the Electric Drive Event on San Jose as well.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5695/21473645486_7d4720eb0e_z.jpg)
Mayor Curry's Communications guy showed up for the declaration stuff. Kudos to Whole Foods who set up a healthy snack tent for participants to enjoy. Sierra Club of Jax set up a tent. NE Florida TPO and JEA setup the rest.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/566/21308815060_fc54d1a754_z.jpg)
About 5 Tesla's showed up. An extremely rare Cadillac ELR drove in near the end. She said she was holed up in traffic. Lots of BMW i3 and Chevy Volt's to test drive. One Ford Fusion Energi for testing was there too.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/568/21485765342_a4cce4cae9_z.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/672/21309929839_7006738310_z.jpg)
As soon as the drizzle stopped, owners opened up their cars so people could take a closer look.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/586/21311821050_c9644b86c9_z.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/637/21499890435_830eb6e778_z.jpg)
Here is your new ChargeWell station list for greater Jacksonville.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5743/21311827000_a0f326b3bd_z.jpg)
People were cracking me up as they stomped the pedal on the BMW i3's in the test drive area to see if it was wimpy. Electric motors like those used in pure electrics have huge levels of torque, but traction control prevents wheelspin. So you would hear these loud whines as people buzzed the lot.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5625/21308967118_051ab2c415_z.jpg)
The car I really wanted to see didn't arrive before I had to leave. Perhaps it came later, can anyone say? I was looking for that Fisker Karma. Elusive that it is. The owner of the Cadillac ELR knows who owns it but wasn't sure if they would make it. Guess I will have to settle for now.
(http://www.plugincars.com/sites/default/files/karma-desert-630.jpg)
Nope, the Karma didn't show. We were at Whole Foods until started raining and they disassembled the tents.
Quote from: JaxDan on September 17, 2015, 08:30:55 PM
Just returned home from the event. Pretty good turnout for Jax. Answered some questions, met some people. But, I'm REALLY disappointed in a few of the sites that were chosen to receive free EVSE (chargers). For example, A Stitch in Time, a knitting/sewing store is getting one. Venny Automotive (?) is also getting one. And, two lower schools are getting one (UNF is as well, but that's longer term parking that makes sense). I don't get it. I spoke to someone from TPO and she said they received very few business requests - that boggles my mind. Free chargers, free installation, and the business can make a (very) small profit on the electricity. I and several other EV owners asked businesses to request one and none did. Makes no sense. So now TPO/Chargewell is going to install them at a places few people spend more than a few minutes at? Where's the gym and recreation centers?
I am glad to see the zoo and the museum are getting them - finally. And, there's going to be one in San Marco. A bunch are going in downtown and Riverside too. I just don't get why TPO didn't say "no" to the businesses where they will rarely be used by anyone other than the employee that turned in the form.
I can't speak for all businesses, but those in Jax that are approximate to parking garages, there is a little secret that plug-in owners don't want to reveal.
Most garages have power outlets at each end of each deck. They are used infrequently for when maintenance brings a plug in compressor to power wash the cement. Many plug-in owners simply back their car up in the spot where these outlets are, pull out their factory inverters and charge all day at no expense. Now, if they buzz the property managers saying they want a ChargeWell station for their cars, then the privilege will probably be lost.
What many people are not aware of is that there are large corporates that want tax breaks and will help subsidize employee purchases of hybrids or pure electrics. One large employer in town will pay you up to $3000 cash towards your car purchase. You just have to fill out a fulfillment form once you have a sales contract and the cash is sent through payroll.
On top of that you get a $4000 tax credit on your income tax for purchasing a ZEV or ULEV.
With gas dropping in price below $2.00 again, electrics are a tough economic sell, but judging by the crowd, I would say interest is growing. Its not a niche thing anymore.
JaxDan, it was nice to meet you and spuwho I probably saw you too! The ChargeWell station map is here: http://www.northfloridatpo.com/clean_cities/chargewell/ (http://www.northfloridatpo.com/clean_cities/chargewell/).
Spuwho - Thanks for posting the photos. We will have photos and video available soon including interviews of EV drivers talking about why they choose to drive electric. Some cool drone footage too!
The Fisker folks contacted me this afternoon and said they didn't want to be out in the rain. Here's a shot of their car at our 2014 EV Rally at Aloft:
https://www.facebook.com/NorthFloridaCleanFuels/photos/a.847654158584245.1073741830.145488672134134/847654295250898/?type=3&theater (https://www.facebook.com/NorthFloridaCleanFuels/photos/a.847654158584245.1073741830.145488672134134/847654295250898/?type=3&theater)
JaxDan, as we discussed it was a bit challenging to get people to apply for the free charging stations. We even extended the deadline to give people more time. Hopefully, once they see them installed and in use there will be more interest. Awardees had to meet certain criteria and make commitments, one of which is that the station is open to the public. Once installed, the stations will be visited to ensure these commitments are being kept.
The program is being continued and expanded to Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties, so hopefully more good news to come.
Glad to hear it was a positive turnout!! We would've loved to apply (I was really hoping to) but we didn't close on our commercial property until after the deadline.
Quote from: mvp on September 17, 2015, 10:14:47 PM
JaxDan, as we discussed it was a bit challenging to get people to apply for the free charging stations. We even extended the deadline to give people more time. Hopefully, once they see them installed and in use there will be more interest. Awardees had to meet certain criteria and make commitments, one of which is that the station is open to the public. Once installed, the stations will be visited to ensure these commitments are being kept.
It was good meeting you too. Regarding the stations we spoke about - I don't doubt that the stations will remain accessible to the public or that the businesses won't fulfill their end of the deal. I just don't think the stations will be located where they would benefit EV owners - unless they work at of those places. And, I doubt they will encourage anyone considering an EV either - unless they work at one of those places.
I just hate to see resources "wasted".
Maybe an official approaching malls, rec centers and such would help. I was surprised Simon, owners of The Avenues Mall didn't apply. They also own the Town Center and have a different company's station there - maybe they're contractually bound to them? If not, I don't know why they didn't apply. The JCA, none of the Y's, LA Fitness, or The Edge Rock Climbing gym or restaurants at the beach applied?
I hate to see resources wasted too, but this was a "use it or lose it" funding situation. Also, some of the awardees are providing in kind funding ranging from $200 to $5,000 so that enabled the TPO to leverage the funding available and purchase more stations for more locations.
There was A LOT of outreach to the types of folks you mentioned. I don't want to put anyone on the spot so I won't name names, but I personally begged some people to apply, as did others involved in the project, and they did not. I wish I knew the answer.
Finally took a look at the station locations and I guess I agree. Oh well :/ I am excited about a few.
Larry's Subs in Deerwood Lake is good, as are MOSH and Cummer. Glad to see more stations in general in the urban core.
http://jacksonville.com/news/transportation/2015-09-18/story/28-new-electric-car-charging-stations-begin-construction
Here's a quick video from the event with people talking about why they drive electric cars - https://vimeo.com/140962977 (https://vimeo.com/140962977)