FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

Mayor Dwight C. Jones was joined by Virginia Clean Cities for the opening of Richmond Omni Hotel's first public charging station for electric vehicles. The City of Richmond has been an important partner in the Richmond Electric Vehicle Initiative thanks in part to a grant from the Clean Cities Community Readiness and Planning for Plug-In Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure.

"The RVAgreen Plan supports electric vehicles and charging stations because they provide options that are more economically competitive and environmentally resilient compared to traditional vehicles," said Mayor Jones.

Ford Motor Company chose Richmond as one of the first 25 "EV Ready" cities in the country and a launch market for its all-electric Ford Focus model car. 

"Electric vehicles and infrastructure represent an opportunity for individuals and businesses to advance energy, economic, and environmental security through reducing petroleum,” said Alleyn Harned, executive director of Virginia Clean Cities.

Prior to the official plug-in, Virginia Clean Cities hosted the Business Case for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Forum at the Omni Hotel. The event provided an overview of electric vehicles and presented the business case for installing electric vehicle charging stations. 

An added benefit of electric cars is the exclusive parking spaces near chargers!

Richmond Omni Hotel Manager Chris Alto, Michael Phillips, project manager of the Virginia Clean Cities Project, Mayor Dwight C. Jones, Alicia Zatcoff, sustainability manager for the city, and Jason Tucker, Richmond Ford sales consultant, at the Omni electric car charging station.