Georgia Power has launched a $500 rebate program for businesses that install chargers for electric vehicles.
Businesses that sign up for the two-year program are required to install 240-volt Level 2 EV chargers. The circuit for the chargers is similar to the one used for home clothes dryers and can fully recharge most electric cars in four to five hours.
By comparison, EV owners can use regular 120-volt outlets at home, but the charging time is considerably longer, depending on the desired distance and charge type.
According to the latest stats from researchers at Statista, Georgia led the nation recently in the rate of growth in registered electric vehicles: 10,482 in March 2014, compared with 1,469 in March 2013, a 614 percent increase. (California led in the number of registered vehicles: 77,222, up from 28,634 during the period.)
Atlanta ranked No. 2 behind San Francisco in new electric vehicle sales, which were up more than 2 percent for the metro area in the 12 months ended March 31 of this year, according to IHS Automotive.
Federal and state tax incentives are helping to fuel the EV growth locally. They include a $7,500 federal income tax credit, up to $5,000 income tax credits in Georgia and other state incentives, such as access to HOV lanes,
Georgia Power said the business EV program is part of its efforts to make customers more aware of alternative transportation powered by electricity.
The company also offers rebates for residential customers who install EV chargers. Customers who sign up for its Plug-in Electric Vehicle rate and charge their vehicles between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. will pay the equivalent of 43 cents –per-gallon of gas.
