Downtown’s First Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Last month the first electric vehicle charging station opened in downtown St. Louis:
Microgrid Energy, based in Clayton, Missouri, unveiled its second charging station at its second hotel in less than a year, Thursday morning. Microgrid Energy spent a rainy Thursday morning celebrating the installation of the second station where customers can pay to charge their electric volt (or EV) cars.
The first was at the Moonrise on Delmar less than a year ago. (KPLR)
Earlier in the week I stopped by and saw it was being used.
ABOVE: Two Chevy Volts being charged on Lucas Ave just east of 7th
From the company’s website:
Microgrid is helping lead the transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs). An extensive shift in infrastructure from gas stations to EV Charging Stations is required to fulfill the potential that EVs hold. This transition will go hand in hand with the transition to locally generated energy from renewable sources. EVs result in lower carbon emissions, but when coupled with onsite solar power, the carbon footprint can go to zero. (Source: Microgrid)
As a city and country we are a long way from mass consumer adoption of electric vehicles, but early adopters will pave the way:
The climate will get kinder for electric cars.
 A prolonged spike in oil prices may send consumers scrambling toward electric. Wider adoption rates should result in lower battery and car prices down the line.
 We’re just not there yet. (Daily Finance: 3 Reasons Why You’re Not Buying an Electric Car)
This charging station is next to the former downtownDillard’s, now home to the Laurel Apartments (an advertiser here) and Embassy Suites Hotel.
- Steve Patterson
