Orlando Going Green to Prepare for Electric Cars

The buzz surrounding electric cars is picking up in Orlando. Auto makers have targeted Florida for the introduction of new eco-friendly electric cars during the second half of 2011, so government and businesses in the greater Orlando area are taking steps to prepare.

Ford has announced that Orlando is among the 19 cities nationwide chosen for the debut of the new Ford Focus electric car in the fall. The plug-in Chevy Volt, Motor Trend magazine's 2011 Car of the Year, will arrive in Florida this fall as well.

Meanwhile, Nissan has made an agreement with the City of Orlando to work together toward the installation of a network of electric car charging stations across central Florida in advance of the arrival of the plug-in Nissan Leaf later this year.

"Nissan and the City of Orlando share the vision that zero-emissions mobility is the ultimate solution for addressing questions of climate change and energy independence," says Carlos Tavares, Chairman, Nissan Americas. "We are looking forward to bringing the Nissan Leaf, the only mass-marketed, all-electric zero-emission car, to Orlando."

Green technology

The plan calls for the Orlando Utilities Commission to oversee the location and installation of charging stations around the city. Already, three charging stations are operating at the OUC's Reliable Plaza offices in downtown Orlando.

"This partnership is a continuation of the City of Orlando's commitment to cleaner, more sustainable transportation options," says Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

One of the first signs of the city's commitment is the public electric car charging station located on the street outside Orlando City Hall at 400 South Orange Avenue.

Planned locations for the installation of the electric car charging stations include many of the Orange County library branches, as well as the Orange County Convention center on International Drive.

Going green

At the Central Florida Zoo, there is an electric car charging station in the parking lot that is free to guests, installed and paid for by a private donor.

"The zoo is a high traffic location. We do 250,000 visitors a year. So it's a good thing - when people are visiting out here they can get their car charged up," says Joe Montisano, the zoo's CEO.

Not far from Walt Disney World, the Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant on Formosa Gardens Blvd. has also installed an electric car charging station for its customers to use.

"You know, we're all about that high technology, and this is just an extension," says Andrew Gross, president of the Buffalo Wild Wings franchisee in Central Florida."It's another piece our guests can use: Watching the game, enjoying the food, and just charge up while you're doing it. It's something that takes a few hours. Spend it in the restaurant."

Eco-friendly

An Orlando family vacation can now be an opportunity to try out an electric car. Enterprise Rent A Car is adding hundreds of the plug-in cars to its rental fleet.

"By embracing new, clean fuel and engine technologies like electric vehicles, Enterprise can help the passenger vehicle remain relevant by giving alternatives a chance to become commercially successful," says Lee Broughton, director of sustainability for Enterprise Holdings.

If you rent one of the electric cars, you'll be able to avoid some of Orlando's traffic. Florida is one of seven states across the country that encourage the use of electric cars by allowing drivers to use the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on highways, regardless of how many passengers are in the car.