Wednesday, April 18, 2012

DeVos Place Leading Continued Green Efforts with Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

DeVos Place is expanding on their leading efforts to make the venue as ‘green’ as can be with the installation of two charging stations for electronic vehicles inside the venue’s basement parking lot.

DeVos Place has installed two CT2003 charging stations on the northwest wall of the building’s basement level parking garage near the Michigan Street exit. The stations will provide power for the increasing amount of electrical vehicles from existing power panels. Parking signs, indicating
and differentiating the spaces, are also installed.

We’re genuinely excited about having charging stations here,” Eddie Tadlock, Assistant General Manager said. “In keeping with the goals of our Sustainability Initiatives, we want to encourage cleaner transportation options for our patrons. Helping add to a nationwide network of charging stations in DeVos Place Convention Center is one way of doing that. We are taking progressive strides to expand our sustainability efforts and partnering with ChargePoint America was the next logical step. The City of Grand Rapids was instrumental in the brokering the grant application and continues to be a catalyst for a number of green projects in West Michigan. ”

ChargePoint America is a program sponsored by Coulomb Technologies to provide electric vehicle charging infrastructure to nine selected regions in the United States. This made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the Transportation Electrification Initiative administered by the Department of Energy and the objective is to accelerate the
development and production of electric vehicles to substantially reduce petroleum consumption, reduce greenhouse gas production, and create jobs.

This past January, Mayor Heartwell announced the availability of five (5) other Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV) charging stations at various parking ramps and on Ottawa Street in downtown Grand Rapids. Mayor Heartwell stated, “This is a great step for the community. Providing the
necessary infrastructure will encourage and support those choosing to own electric vehicles and support the auto industry and supporting industries both in the City and throughout Michigan.”