Posted on 08/18/2011 2:40:25 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
Back in the 1990s, when it seemed like electric vehicles were gaining traction with consumers, Costco did something unusual: the big-box retailer installed charging stations at many of its California locations. Now, however, those stations are being removed, and electric car fans aren't happy.
According to Plug In America, Costco has offered no official explanation for removing the charging stations other than the Xeroxed signs taped to each that read, "Please be advised that this electric charger will be removed on August 15th, 2011. Sorry for the inconvenience."
Costco's move seems curious for a couple of reasons. For starters, the California Energy Commission has launched a special grant program to fund the upgrade of older, AVCON charging stations to newer J1772 models that can accommodate modern electric vehicles like the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf. Costco would seem to be tailor-made for that initiative, so why not apply?
But apart from the fact that upgrading should be of minimal cost to Costco is the fact that sales of electric cars and plug-in hybrids are booming these days. At a time when other companies (even McDonald's!) are rolling out the red carpet for electric vehicle owners, why would Costco yank the rug out from under them?
(Excerpt) Read more at greencarreports.com ...
Geeeesh.. entitled expectations or what? a reVOLTing development, nonetheless. ;-)
the fact that sales of electric cars and plug-in hybrids are booming these days.
booming? compared to what?
gosh, that’s not enviro friendly!
/s
...buggy whips and oil lamps!
VASTLY more electric cars were sold last year, as compared to 1910-1911...
Maybe they’re preparing to get the hell out of California.
“——a reVOLTing development, “
...
I can’t beLEAF this.
Illegals were plugging in arc welders and running an unlicensed welding shop in the parking lot?
This made me laugh
“the fact that sales of electric cars and plug-in hybrids are booming these days. ‘
really gOV’T mOTORS SOLD 125 VOLTS IN jULY
125 IN THE ENTIRE COUNTY
G E and 0dumbo are the only entities buying Volts
This made me laugh
“the fact that sales of electric cars and plug-in hybrids are booming these days. ‘
really gOV’T mOTORS SOLD 125 VOLTS IN jULY
125 IN THE ENTIRE COUNTY
G E and 0dumbo are the only entities buying Volts
At the rate we’re going, buggy whips and oil lamps might by the wave of the future.
I imagine that charging a car takes quite a while, not like filling up with gas. Parking spots are at a premium in CA and electric cars are not exactly common.
>>“——a reVOLTing development, “
...
I can’t beLEAF this.<<
Many of those owners find their cars PRIUS-cious!
(OK it was a reach...)
Maybe Costco analyzed their most recent electric bill. I’ve been saying this since this was first proposed: what employer is going to provide charging stations to their employees for free?
It's not personal, greenies, it's business.
The plug for an electric car is the same for an RV (250V-20A-1P). My guess is that Costco could have felt it was a legal liability to provide a receptacle.
Costco didn’t want the responsibility to safeguard these charging types while the animals in CA lurked in the nearby bushes.
Costco didn’t want the responsibility to safeguard these charging types while the animals in CA lurked in the nearby bushes.
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