Downtown’s First Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Last month the first electric vehicle charging station opened in downtown St. Louis:
Microgrid Energy, based in Clayton, Missouri, unveiled its second charging station at its second hotel in less than a year, Thursday morning. Microgrid Energy spent a rainy Thursday morning celebrating the installation of the second station where customers can pay to charge their electric volt (or EV) cars.
The first was at the Moonrise on Delmar less than a year ago. (KPLR)
Earlier in the week I stopped by and saw it was being used.
From the company’s website:
Microgrid is helping lead the transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs). An extensive shift in infrastructure from gas stations to EV Charging Stations is required to fulfill the potential that EVs hold. This transition will go hand in hand with the transition to locally generated energy from renewable sources. EVs result in lower carbon emissions, but when coupled with onsite solar power, the carbon footprint can go to zero. (Source: Microgrid)
As a city and country we are a long way from mass consumer adoption of electric vehicles, but early adopters will pave the way:
The climate will get kinder for electric cars.
 A prolonged spike in oil prices may send consumers scrambling toward electric. Wider adoption rates should result in lower battery and car prices down the line.
 We’re just not there yet. (Daily Finance: 3 Reasons Why You’re Not Buying an Electric Car)
This charging station is next to the former downtownDillard’s, now home to the Laurel Apartments (an advertiser here) and Embassy Suites Hotel.
– Steve Patterson
What does a charge cost? And does anyone want to start a pool on how long until a copper thief stealls the connecting cables?
What does a charge cost? And does anyone want to start a pool on how long before a copper thief steals the connecting cables?
As far as the copper, probably as long as it will take Exxon to break its record for net earnings at the rate oil prices area going.
Everybody knows the pros and cons, that oil is not going away,its going to be a while before electric cars sticker price can be made up with cheaper prices at the charger, and so on. However, I for one would love to see an effort for a reliable alternate in transportation to break us from our utter dependence upon crude oil. Heck, Exxon bought up a lot of domestic gas deposits and I wouldn’t mind a bit if part of their record profits was from selling natural gas to utilites to which the connecting cables are connected too or throw in a tax credit to convert truck fleets to natural gas just as we give credits to anyone who buys a chevy volt. Yes, we might spend more on the government side but we send less cash oversees and we still give American Energy companies part of our wallet
Microgrid may have installed but this was paid for by The Laurel Apartments as a benefit to their tenants and public EV drivers. They also paid to have the WeCar in this location. Charging cost between $5 – $10 depending on the type of EV and there is surveillance on the station for user and station security. Regardless, this is the only apartment complex in the region with an EV charging AND a car sharing program installed outside there front door. Green living right in the middle of downtown…
Microgrid may have installed but this was paid for by The Laurel Apartments as a benefit to their tenants and public EV drivers. They also paid to have the WeCar in this location. Charging cost between $5 – $10 depending on the type of EV and there is surveillance on the station for user and station security. Regardless, this is the only apartment complex in the region with an EV charging AND a car sharing program installed outside there front door. Green living right in the middle of downtown…
Good to see them offering amenities like these – hope it works out in the long run!
Good to see them offering amenities like these – hope it works out in the long run!
As far as the copper, probably as long as it will take Exxon to break its record for net earnings at the rate oil prices area going.
Everybody knows the pros and cons, that oil is not going away,its going to be a while before electric cars sticker price can be made up with cheaper prices at the charger, and so on. However, I for one would love to see an effort for a reliable alternate in transportation to break us from our utter dependence upon crude oil. Heck, Exxon bought up a lot of domestic gas deposits and I wouldn’t mind a bit if part of their record profits was from selling natural gas to utilites to which the connecting cables are connected too or throw in a tax credit to convert truck fleets to natural gas just as we give credits to anyone who buys a chevy volt. Yes, we might spend more on the government side but we send less cash oversees and we still give American Energy companies part of our wallet