When Ford’s new Focus Electric and C-MAX Energi hit the streets, customers will have plenty of options on where to recharge their electric vehicles (EVs). Whether it’s stopping at the zoo, a museum or shopping downtown, vehicle charging stations are popping up across the country. So where are the cool places to charge? Ford may have found the answer with its list of the 20 Cool Places to Charge in the U.S.
The 20 locations on Ford’s list alphabetically are:
Edison Park Fast Lot, New York City: Charge in the middle of the Big Apple at this station near Times Square and Broadway.
Fashion Island, Newport Beach, Calif.: Shoppers can hit one of Orange County’s premier outdoor shopping centers while their cars charge outside.
Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco: This destination lets visitors recharge while they enjoy waterfront dining, shopping and sightseeing in the city by the bay’s popular tourist area.
Give Kids the World Village, Kissimmee, Fla.: This nonprofit center gives children with life-threatening illnesses a memorable experience they will never forget. It also set up EV charging for friends, families and contributors.
Greenville Zoo, Greenville, S.C.: A charge station at this zoo lets visitors spend time with wild animals while their vehicles charge.
Hall Wines and Clif Family Winery, St. Helena, Calif.: Charging stations at these two wineries let visitors take in the scenery while their vehicles charge.
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, Honolulu: Schedule rest and relaxation at this beach resort as your electric vehicle charges outside.
Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, Houston: Visitors can have a day of fun with nature and animals while their vehicles charge.
Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles: Whether attending a convention or a Lakers game at the nearby Staples Center, this location offers a convenience for visitors to charge their EVs.
Malibu Country Mart, Malibu, Calif.: A charge station at this shopping center lets visitors look for celebrities or hit the stores while their vehicles charge.
Mall of America, Bloomington, Minn.: EV drivers can enjoy shopping, entertainment and other attractions at this megamall while their vehicles charge.
Magnificent Mile, Chicago: Michigan Avenue allows EV drivers to enjoy the experiences of one of the most iconic streets in America.
Mint Street Parking Garage, Charlotte, N.C.: A first-class view of downtown Charlotte gives these charging station users a unique perspective.
NFL Stadiums: CenturyLink Field in Seattle and M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore: Charging stations at the home of the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens let fans tailgate and cheer their teams on while their EVs charge.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn.: This solar-powered EV charging station offers an extremely energy-efficient way to charge.
Peaches Bed & Breakfast, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Spend the night at this historic manor while your EV charges.
Ruby Falls, Chattanooga, Tenn.: Charge your vehicle while visiting the Americas’ highest underground waterfalls.
Santa Monica Plaza Shopping Center, Santa Monica, Calif.: Beach lovers can head to this charging station for easy access to the Santa Monica Pier.
Science Museum of Richmond and Children’s Museum of Richmond, Va.: Set between two museums, visitors will have a choice of destination with easy access to charging.
Stevens Pass Mountain Resort, Leavenworth, Wash.: A charging station at this ski resort lets owners hit the slopes and recharge at the same time.
“This list demonstrates that drivers of the Focus Electric can charge at exciting locations across America,” said Jeanette Clute, Ford manager of sustainable business strategies. “The variety of options throughout the country is also a good indicator that cities and communities are accelerating preparation for electric vehicles.”
Each location was evaluated based on factors including proximity to a view or landmark or dining and shopping opportunities.
Ford is tracking more than 3,000 public charge stations in 2011 and expects that figure to quadruple by the end of 2013, indicating that this is an exciting and dynamic time for electric vehicle infrastructure. This evaluation also is reflective of Ford’s helping ensure that cities have the infrastructure necessary to support EVs.
Where would you like to charge?
Is there a really cool place you would like to see an EV charging station installed? Maybe near Mount Rushmore? Outside your favorite sports stadium? Or maybe near the beach? Ford wants to know and see your station. Go to the Ford Electric Vehicles Facebook page and print the picture of the EV charging station under the “Show us Your Station tab.” Then, take a photo of you with the charging station at the cool place you would like to charge and post the image to the Facebook page. Ford will review all the submissions and list the 10 coolest places submitted.
Home charging
The most necessary accessory for an all-electric Ford Focus is available for $1,499 at select Ford dealerships. And if in your new car excitement you forget to purchase the home charger add-on, never fear. Just swing by Best Buy on the way home.
The Ford EV Home Charging Station includes standard installation and features an ADA-compliant, one-button user interface and a 10-year warranty. After you attach the device’s wall mount in the garage, you won’t need to see your Focus when you sell your house—the wall mount can be relocated. It also comes with an 18-foot, wrap-around charging cable.
“Charging is one of the most important components of owning an electric vehicle, so it was crucial to develop a charging station that made ownership easier and more affordable for Focus Electric owners,” said Mike Tinskey, associate director for Ford Motor Co.’s global electric vehicle infrastructure. “Through our partnership with Leviton, we utilized our collective electrical expertise to specifically design the EV Home Charging Station to meet stringent automotive quality, product development and testing requirements that will allow Focus Electric owners to charge with ease.”
Leviton and Ford Motor Co. announced the home charging station has achieved UL certification for UL 2231, UL 2251 and UL 2594. The new Level 2 EV charging device, designed exclusively for Ford, is compatible with all additional industry safety standards and recommended practices, including SAE J1772 and NEC 625.
The home charging station provides up to 32 amps at 240 volts AC (7.7 kW output), fully charging a Ford Focus Electric’s battery in a little more than three hours—more than four times faster than the standard portable charger. The device’s energy-efficient design—the enclosure is made from nearly 60 percent recycled materials—features a low-energy standby power design, contributing to a 50 to 80 percent reduced carbon footprint.
A ground monitor circuit and built-in communication verifies proper connection before charging can begin. The device’s auto-restart feature enables charging to restart following a minor fault, reducing the chance of being stranded with an undercharged battery. With a weatherproof NEMA Type 4 enclosure, the device is safe for indoor and outdoor use. Nonpermanent plug-in installation is ideal for indoor applications. A hard-wired conversion kit is available for outdoor locations.
About Leviton
Leviton is a global leader in electrical wiring devices, network and data center connectivity solutions and lighting energy management systems. A member of the USGBC (United States Green Building Council), Leviton was founded at the turn of the 20th century. Today Leviton’s product portfolio consists of more than 25,000 devices and systems used in homes, businesses and industry. Nine out of 10 North American homes use products made by Leviton.
About Ford Motor Co.
Ford Motor Co., based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With some 166,000 employees and 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Co.
