Take Charge Interested in jumping on the electric car bandwagon? Here's where to start. Tesla Dealership:
→→Tesla Motors: 160 N Gulph Rd.
U-GO charging station located in Mount Laurel, NJ
King of Prussia, PA. (484) 235-5858
Station to Station
Local company provides an outlet for electric car owners
If the market for electric cars continues to grow, it’s a pretty good bet drivers will need recharging while on the road. And that’s a bet David Soens, co-founder and executive vice president of operations for the Philadelphia-based U-GO Stations, is making. “We anticipate [there will be] as many as 5000 [public] charging stations across the country by 2030,” Soens says. From its headquarters at 18th and Market, U-GO owns, operates and maintains a network of electric vehicle charging stations. They installed the first charging station in Pennsylvania at Liberty Gas Station on Columbus Boulevard at Tasker Street, and in 2012, another at the Trolley Car Diner on Germantown Avenue in Mt. Airy. They have a total of eight stations in the U.S. and four in Grand Cayman. U-GO is responsible for all aspects of the devices, including maintenance, insurance and electricity costs. For a Level 2 charger, consumers pay $2.75 per hour,
N i s s an D e a l e r s h i p s :
→→Chapman N.: 6723 Essington Ave. Philadelphia, PA. (215) 492-1200
→→Ardmore N.: 265 E Lancaster Ave. by ed golde
and for a Level 3 charger, it’s $9 for unlimited usage. Because U-GO offers locations a revenue sharing model, it’s a way to make money, but the benefits of having a station, the company says, extend beyond that. In addition to showing your concern for the environment, a station becomes a destination, and customers in need of a charge will need something to do while they wait, such as shop at a nearby venue. Soens and his team are ramping up their efforts to expand the company and hope to partner with a variety of clients that include retailers and universities. And they’re very optimistic about how the market is developing. “Now that the early adopters of electric vehicles have been driving for a few years, we are seeing more public acceptance and familiarity with it,” Soens says. “They are teaching other drivers about all the benefits. This will help transition and solidify the electric vehicle as a true alternative for the first time in 100 years.”
Ardmore, PA, (610) 649-4400
→→Cherry Hill N.: RT 38/ Church Rd. Cherry Hill, NJ. (856) 667-8300
→→Woodbury N.: 439 Mantua Ave. Woodbury, NJ. (856) 853-0150
→→Drexel Hill N. 5018 Township Line Rd. Drexel Hill PA. (610) 449-2800
→→Faulkner N. 900 Old York Rd.
Jenkintown, PA. (215) 887-8870
→→Loughead N. 755 S Chester Rd.
Swarthmore, PA. (610) 328-1500
→→Conicelli N. 1222 W. Ridge Rd.
Conshohocken, PA. (610) 825-4200
→→Colonial N. 117 Bustleton Pike
Feasterville, PA. (215) 364-1100
→→N. of Devon 459 W. Lancaster Ave. Devon, PA. (610) 695-2900
→→N. of Turnersville 3400 Route 42 Turnersville, NJ. (856) 629-1900
→→O’Neil Nissan 849 W Street Rd.
Warminster, PA. (215) 674-9300 Ch e vro l e t D e a l e r s h i p s :
→→Chapman C. 6925 Essington Ave. drives up to 75 miles. On those days, he monitors his driving habits carefully to make sure he can make it the full distance. Temple echoes Park’s sentiment about driving habits: “You change the way you drive when you drive one of these cars.” He says he’s much more relaxed and respects cyclists more now that he drives a Leaf. “I don’t know if it’s the increased environmental awareness or what,” he adds. Temple has seen dramatic financial results as well. He had previously driven a Cadillac Escalade, and filled its 30 gallon tank three times a week. He estimates his annual gas savings are a shocking $20,000, a figure that pays for the Leaf and charging station in well under two years. Skolnick adds that driving an electric car requires that you plan long trips based on the location of charging stations. He doesn’t think it’s a bad thing—just different. Temple, however, is looking forward to the installation of more rapid charging stations on the I-95 corridor between New York and D.C.
Driving enthusiasts
As for the performance of electric vehicles, all three owners are in complete agreement—it’s awesome. “When people drive the car and feel how powerful it is, they say, ‘Oh wow! This isn’t what I expected an electric car to be,’ ” Park says. “What makes the Leaf feel like it’s a luxury Cadillac is that it’s so smooth—it’s a luxurious experience driving an electric car." The unbridled enthusiasm of electric car owners is infectious, much like it was for hybrid owners a decade ago. If we’re not at a tipping point yet, we likely will be soon as prices continue to drop, charging infrastructure improves and technology continues to advance. In fact, technology is developing so rapidly that the biggest concern for potential electric vehicle owners may be owning an outdated car. Temple’s advice for drivers considering making the switch to an electric car? “Don’t buy one—lease one.” Otherwise, it’s full speed ahead for electric vehicles.
Philadelphia, PA. (888) 478-0476
→→Pelligrino C. 1000 Gateway Blvd. Westville, NJ. (856) 603-3652
→→Mall C. 75 Haddonfield Rd.
Cherry Hill, NJ. (866) 475-5793
→→Gordon C. 6301 E Roosevelt Blvd. Philadelphia, PA. (215) 268-6080
→→Armen C. 125 E. Lancaster Ave. Ardmore, PA. (484) 412-0023
→→Spencer C. 840 Baltimore Pike Springfield, PA. (484) 534-2387
→→Bryner C. 1750 The Fairway
Jenkintown, PA. (267) 436-4076
→→Elkins C. 401 Route 73 South Marlton NJ. (856) 452-0168
→→Carfagno C. 1230 E Ridge Rd. Plymouth Meeting PA. (484) 751-9189
→→Thomas C. 1263 W Baltimore Pike Media, PA. (484) 443-4478
→→C of Turnersville 3400 Route 42 Turnersville NJ. (856) 340-4039
→→Del C. 1644 E Lancaster Ave. Paoli, PA. (484) 324-2031
→→Lafferty C. 829 W Street Rd. Warminster, PA. (215) 259-5794
→→Kelly C. 600 Nutt Rd. Route 23
Phoenixville, PA. (484) 928-1112
F E B Ruary 20 14
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