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 ...
Why are we busting on this guy? Just bc he’s large? If it is the face on the shirt, it’s probably not of his choosing. He’s a taxpayer.
We have enough people to rag on without picking on a taxpayer.
My truck generates it’s own electricity from the alternator. It doesn’t need to be plugged for hours. It can go 420 miles on a recharge that takes only about 5 minutes.
Maybe Costco finally got smart?
Electric vehicles have no legitimate place in an effective, productive, free nation. They are an enabler of “People Control.”
On what planet?
>> “Maybe they’re preparing to get the hell out of California.” <<
.
Not likely.
In California, each operating checkout station in a Costco store averages $20,000 per hour in profit.
According to this article, nobody was using them.
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/17/citing-a-lack-of-usage-costco-removes-e-v-chargers/
BWAHAHAHA!
What is your truck?
Even the little pipsqueek plastic wonders can’t get close to that.
I think you nailed it. With California’s mandate of 33% of it’s electricity
coming from Windmills, Solar Panels, Waves and Squirrel Cages,
Kilowatts are going to cost Kilobucks.
Hugely biased source!
“Green Car”
Bingo! The only reason to install the charging station is for the PR boost. No one will use them. I looked at adding them at my company for the positive media attention - never once have I had a customer ask for charging.
Honda Ridgeline. 107,300 miles, 19+ mpg.
I’m still breaking it in.
I wonder how much their power bills had gone up????
With over 400 mile battery range?
>>Your comment, “Many of those owners find their cars PRIUS-cious!” is not assault, but it fringes on BATTERY.<<
Like that is a big SHOCK...
“I drive a clean car.”
Exactly. Electric cars don’t NOT pollute, they just relocate the pollution.
Sales on few buggy whips? I frequently drive in the People’s Republic of Massachusetts and have only seen one Volt. I see more new pickups then “green” cars.
No one besides some whiny liberals want these things. Even if they were used, how much additional range will you get by plugging it in for a hour or so while you go shopping?
Did the Sergeant say “battery” range?
Well, those EPA types can't be bothered with the real world. BTW, those are the same people who brought us the catalytic converter. Remember why that was needed? Yep, to reduce smog in the big cities. Sure enough, it did help - but catalysts produce lots of the same evil greenhouse gases they're now telling us to avoid at all costs.
I guess they hadn't yet figured out that the Earth was "in the balance" back when they moved the pollution problem out of the cities and made everyone share equally in the problem.
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