Lakewood Ranch leads the charge

LAKEWOOD RANCH — It’s part of Brian Jones’ business to stay abreast on the latest in energy-related technologies.

But the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club resident does it for fun, as well. In fact, Jones managed to reserve his new Nissan Leaf, the first completely electric, mass-produced vehicle on the market, hours before it officially became available in Florida in August.

And while Jones is leading the way in a consumer trend for greener, more efficient vehicles, Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch also is leading the trend for businesses in the area.

The company is in the process of installing two electric car charging stations on its property and expects to have the stations ready for use within two weeks.

“We have designated the parking spots (for them), and all the parts have been ordered (for installation),” SMR Marketing and Public Relations Director Candice McElyea said.

The new charging stations will be located at the University Parkway Information Center and on Lakewood Ranch Main Street and are designed to accommodate all-electric cars ,such as the new Ford Focus Electric, Tesla and the Nissan Leaf, as well as plug-in hybrid vehicles, such as the Chevy Volt and the Fisker Karma. The stations also can charge electric golf carts, scooters, motorcycles and other electric vehicles.

“Since we began this community, we made a commitment to green building practices, with our commitment to stewardship of the land and our wise use of resources and care for our natural surroundings,” SMR President and CEO Rex Jensen said. “We, as a company, are committed to creating a safe, clean environment for our residents and our employees, and it is evident in everything that we do.”

Jones, chairman of the Electric Vehicle Innovation Council, praised SMR’s commitment to green practices.

“It’s phenomenal; if you look at the progressive communities throughout the country (they are doing this),” he said. “I think it’s great Lakewood Ranch is leading the way in our area and getting this out. This (technology) is something that’s going to happen.

“(Electric is) good for the economy and it’s good for the environment,” he said. “Plus, it’s a fun vehicle to drive.”

Once Jones gets his Leaf in November or December, he’ll be able to drive up to 100 miles without recharging its batteries, he said.

Charge Point America, a public/private partnership program sponsored by Coulomb Technologies and the Department of Energy, is funding $16,000 for equipment for the project. The program is helping to install 4,600 charging stations nationwide by Oct. 31.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

POWER CONSUMPTION
One of the primary concerns individuals have with using electric vehicles is that they will run out of power while traveling.

SMR Director of Marketing and Public Relations Candice McElyea said the company hopes the installation of charging stations in the community will alleviate some of those concerns and help bring the concept of electric vehicles to the region.

Future electric-car owner Brian Jones said most individuals drive about 60 miles per day, well within the Nissan Leaf’s 100-mile ability. The fear of running out of battery life, he said, is unwarranted.

“I’ve been driving (about) 30 years, and I’ve run out of gas once in my life,” he said. “(Drivers) are going to be just as smart with an electric vehicle.”