EV Club of the South News

Market place

Thu, 04 Oct 2018 00:52:09 GMT

Hello,

Is there a place we can list to: buy and sell EV parts and or chargers?

Thanks :)

Another little known benefit of EVs.

Thu, 20 Sep 2018 20:52:01 GMT

Reduced greenhouse gases is an often talked about subject with zero emission EV's but there is another type of pollution that can be easily reduced with EV's using regenerative braking. Regenerative braking minimizes the use of the traditional friction braking which produces the black dust particles of metal and whatever brake pad material you often see accumalated on your car, roads, signs, overpasses and even nearby flora. There is no production of black dust particles when using regenerative braking because the car is slowed down electromagnetically and not by friction. A recent study explains why the brake dust can be harmful to our respiratory system.

"Metals from brakes and other automotive systems are emitted into the air as fine particles, lingering over busy roadways. Now, researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have shown how that cloud of tiny metal particles could wreak havoc on respiratory health."

"In a study published January 31 in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, the researchers described how vehicle-emitted metals such as copper, iron and manganese interact with acidic sulfate-rich particles already in the air to produce a toxic aerosol."

“Sulfate has long been associated with adverse health impacts,” said Athanasios Nenes, a professor and Georgia Power Scholar in the School of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences and the School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering. “The old hypothesis was that the acidic sulfate burns your lung lining, which in turn leads the bad health effects. But there is not enough acid in the air alone to really have that impact.”

“There’s a chain reaction happening in the air above busy highways,” said Rodney Weber, a professor in Georgia Tech’s School of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences. “Acidic sulfate in the atmosphere comes into contact with those metals emitted from traffic and changes their solubility, making them more likely to cause oxidative stress when inhaled.”

“That’s the smoking gun,” Nenes said. “The sulfate essentially dissolves those metals; when you breathe in those particles, the metals could be absorbed directly into the blood stream and cause problems throughout the body. For the first time, a mechanism emerges to explain why small amounts of acidic sulfate can adversely affect health.”

Electrify America DCFC Rollout Explained

Thu, 16 Aug 2018 16:36:28 GMT

Reposted from FB by Chris Campbell

Charged Magazine's latest issue arrived in mailboxes a couple days ago, and includes a great feature on the Electrify America DCFC rollout that's funded by Volkwagen penalty money. Lots of details in this article, and worth reading. Link

Make Atlanta EV Ready

Thu, 16 Nov 2017 20:44:52 GMT

Atlanta residents: Let your City Council Person know that you support the proposed "EV Ready" regulations for new construction in the city of Atlanta. New construction would be required to include a few low cost extras that are easy to add while you're building your home, but become expensive to retrofit later. It adds value with low cost and you will be ready for an EV next time. The vote is this Monday, November 20. More information at: https://www.electrifythesouth.org/ev-policy.

Life Cycle Electric Vehicle Emission - latest study released

Tue, 23 Feb 2016 15:08:28 GMT

The EV landscape is changing quickly and as a consequence, earlier information can become outdated and misleading just as quickly. This requires us to be a more educated consumer with the latest facts. The Union of Concerned Scientists have recently released a comprehensive study comparing the cradle to grave emissions of EV and ICE cars. A recommended read to stay current. Here are the links.

Full report

Executive summary

FAQ

Video

Georgia's EV tax credit is now set to expire

Thu, 14 May 2015 13:18:12 GMT

As you might have heard, the $5000 Georgia EV tax credit is no longer. You must take possession of your new EV by June 30, 2015 into order to qualify for the credit. If you are unsure about getting an EV or want to know your options in getting another one, a great one-stop resource is www.electrifyatlanta.com. It has tons of objective information about the types of EVs out there for sell, how to get the tax credit, how and where to charge your EV, what to expect and even solar power information! It's great for both first time and experienced EV owners. This website is independently developed and maintained by one of our members Chris Campbell. Because information about EVs are changing rapidly, Chris has done a great job of keeping the information on his website current and up-to-date. So if you are on the fence about getting an EV, now is the time to get educated and purchase one!

Time to sign the petition to legislators

Fri, 20 Feb 2015 02:47:06 GMT

This petition will be hand delivered to those Georgia legislators that must be aware of this grassroot effort. Join here

Georgia’s Leadership On Electric Vehicles Delivers Huge Benefits To Drivers

Sat, 14 Feb 2015 18:01:55 GMT

Posted at Union of Concerned Scientists website Georgia’s Leadership On Electric Vehicles Delivers Huge Benefits To Drivers

Excellent articles by or mentioning Club Members on Tax Credit legislative debacle

Fri, 06 Feb 2015 15:06:25 GMT

Creative Loafing - How the electric vehicle rode public subsidies into the mainstream

AJC - Let's save EV Tax Credit also here for those with no subscription

Decaturish

11-Alive

WABE 90.1

Georgia EV Tax Credit is under Attack Again

Wed, 04 Feb 2015 04:52:52 GMT

For those who live in Georgia, as you know the EV tax credit is again under attack at the Georgia General Assembly and we want to show broad support to our legislators in various ways. I'm collecting suggestions and posting things we can do to help.

1. The HB 122 or the Transportation Bill, not only adds $200 to the annual Tag fee for EVs and PHEVs but it also eliminates the ZEV Credit or the $5,000. HB 220 just got published and we need your help to support it!!! Currently HB 122 is trying to kill the Tax Credit and HB 220 is trying change it with the following highlights:
Reduce the 20% allowance credit to 10% and with the $3,000 maximum. Expand the credit to include both BEV and PHEV vehicles with 10 kWh+ battery packs. Allow a smaller credit between 4 & 10 kWh for up to 10%/$2,000.
Reduce the credit in 2018. Eliminate the credit in 2020
Please click this link to a spreadsheet and find your representative and give them a call!!! The talking points are in the spreadsheet.

2. (From the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Union of Concerned Scientists) Consider joining a sign on letter in support of electric vehicles. This link describes the qualifications for sign on and the letter.

Info for EVSE Rebates from Georgia Power

Tue, 27 Jan 2015 04:19:40 GMT

From Georgia Power's website -

Georgia Power has launched its Electric Transportation Pilot Program to promote the use of electric vehicles (EVs) throughout our state.

The program offers rebates, education and services – including special rates and charging options – to help our residential and business customers save money, save energy and help protect the environment.

Explore our website, and return often for frequent updates, including information on rebates for the installation of qualifying charging stations, charging locations in your area.

Show some Etiquette, please.

Fri, 26 Sep 2014 19:51:56 GMT

Many EV Drivers have already felt the disappointment of needing to charge at a public station and finding it already occupied. You may find an EV that is already charged, but the owner has not returned to move it. Please take a look at our Charging Etiquette suggestions. If we all use them, we can make the most out of the charging stations available. And if you find that someone has been less than considerate, leave a flyer on their windshield instead of an angry note. The flyer is designed to print two to a page so you can spread the word while saving paper.

EV Charging Etiquette PDF

Help us win a L2 Charging Station for the Club

Thu, 18 Sep 2014 14:30:57 GMT

25 Free registrations wins the club a free L2 charger to donate to a local business. Contribute to EV awareness and infrastructure, register as a race participant for free and type EV Club of the South as your company at http://e-mazingrace.com/

National Drive Electric Week at Atlantic Station

Thu, 14 Aug 2014 17:36:54 GMT

The EV Club of the South invites you to kick off Drive Electric Week at Atlantic Station's Central Park area on Saturday September 13, 2014. This is the same site as last year's Plugin Day event. East and West District Avenues between 18th and 19th Street for the display of plug-in vehicles again this year. Because space is limited in Central Park, we will again have additional space for you to show off your EV in the parking area between Target and the EV Charging Spot on 17th St. The event will begin at this parking area at 9:00 AM and then some vehicles will move to Central Park to set up for the 11:00 AM official start. Both events will end at 3:00 PM.

We are limited to about 30 cars in Central Park. We would like to have a wide variety of EVs in there, but due to the tight quarters, we can't have cars coming and going from this site. If you would like to display your car in Central Park, please let us know that you can be there from 11:00-3:00. We will select cars from those who can stay. The rest of us can talk about our favorite drives at the larger parking lot. The parking lot entrance is on 18th Street just west of State Street and across from the Target Store.

We plan to have vendors and informational tables at the event, too. Please plan to check them out and let us know if you are a vendor interested in arranging for a display.

Please go the the Atlanta Drive Electric webpage and register there so we can know you are coming!

EV Club Members on CBS 46

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:34:04 GMT

Club members Michael Beinenson and Don Francis defend the EV tax credit on CBS 46 News. Rep. Charles Martin, who authored the bill to kill the credit is also interviewed.

http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/24917812/waste-or-worth-it-5000-tax-credit-for-electric-vehicles

GA EV Tax credit in Jeopardy!

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 16:30:55 GMT

Final Update for this year:

A modified version of the bill passed the Senate, but the House voted to keep the original version, which was not reconsidered by the Senate on the last day. The Bill is dead for this year. We will update you with information to help keep the tax credits in place until they are truly able to compete on their own.

UPDATE!

Unfortunately, HB257, which would remove the EV tax credit passed the House on March 3. It was amended to become effective July 1. Here is a tally of the vote; let your representative know that EVs are good for Georgia and pay for themselves by keeping dollars in the state that would be spent on oil. If the bill makes it back to them, you may be able to sway their vote.

The bill is currently under consideration by the Senate Natural Resources and the Environment Committee. Contact the members and let them know that the current tax credit is good both for the environment and the economy of Georgia. It pays for itself. Our friends at the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy have a handy template to get you started and send your message. Do it today!

Call your State Representative before Monday March 3 to let the know that Georgia still needs to keep the EV tax credit. It is a generous benefit, but it helps keep money in our state and clears the air around us. You can find your representative here: http://openstates.org/ga/

Steps to obtain the GA Tax credit

Thu, 27 Feb 2014 16:18:46 GMT

Below are the steps on how exactly to get the state credit, which tax software knows about the Georgia forms, and notes on how electronic filing may work.

Background on the tax credits:

All electric cars qualify for the federal tax credit. This includes both pure electric vehicles (aka battery electric vehicles or BEVs) like the Nissan Leaf and "range-extended" electric vehicles (aka plugin hybrid electric vehicles or PHEVs) like the Chevy Volt. The amount of tax credit is $7500 for cars with batteries that are 16 kWh in size or larger (which includes the Leaf and the Volt); the tax credit is proportional to the battery size for cars with batteries smaller than 16 kWh (like the Ford Energi models).

Only PURE electric cars (BEVs) like the Nissan Leaf qualify for the state tax credit of $5000. Cars that can be fueled by gasoline (PHEVs) do not qualify.

Both of these tax credits are available regardless of whether you purchased or leased. However if you leased, the federal tax credit was used up by the bank you are leasing from (since technically that bank bought the car, not you) and then passed on to you in the form of a cheaper lease.

How to get the tax credit:

Buy or Lease your favorite EV
Register your car.
(If you chose an AFV-Alt Fuel Vehicle tag, you may need to wait for your final tag )
Print out the Georgia Zero Emissions Vehicle Form in color (http://www.gaepd.org/Files_PDF/forms/apb/apb_LEVZEVTAX.pdf) and fill it out. Mail it to the GA Environmental Protection Division ( attn: James Udi, address on form) attaching copies of your sales or lease receipt (with your name and signature) and tag receipt with final tag number.
Wait 2-6 weeks to get your original color form with proper stamp from GAEPD. Note that this can be the slow step in the process, so don't delay!
Print your GA tax forms and attach the original GAEPD color form. You must submit your GA state return in Hard Copy! You can use tax software to file for your Federal forms electronically to get your $7,500 federal tax credit Make copies of all forms for your records, including the GAEPD form.
If you ordered AFV-Alt Fuel Vehicle tag which allows to drive solo in HOV and HOT lane, request a free peach pass transceiver at http://www.peachpass.com .

Tax software support for Georgia tax credit:
- Turbo Tax has the GA tax form
- Taxcut does not support it.
- what is the Georgia tax form number?

If you already files electronically, this worked for worked for at least one member:

I followed TurboTax's instructions and filed electronically. I was stuck with nowhere to send in the approved EV Tax Credit Certificate. Here's an update / conclusion:

(1) I went to "Where's My Refund" on the GA Tax Center website. When I entered SS#, Amount of Refund, and Year, I was given feedback that my return was received and being processed and to call the GA Dept of Revenue (# was provided).
(2) I called the GA Dept of Revenue at the requested number. No way to get to a human being without entering the "Where's my refund" information on phone. When I did, I was automatically transferred to the call center.
(3) The call center said that my EV credit was declined and they needed to transfer me to a different department to tell me what to do.
(4) The department they transferred me to looked up my information. They actually had me on a list of "approved" EV certificates that the GA Dept. of Natural Resources provided the GA Dept of Revenue. They said that they would process my return with the credit and that I could hold on to the certificate with my printed return. No need to mail it in. I was told that I should have my refund direct deposited in 7-14 days.

[The above method may or may not work for everyone! Note that it appears that you would need to file first, wait for the state to initially process your return, and THEN you call in. It's probably simpler to file a paper return with everything included.]

Winners of Metro Plug-In EVSE's Announced!

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 13:09:13 GMT

Metro Plug-In would like to thank all who came by our tents this weekend during National Plug-In Day. The event was a great success and we were especially happy to see the tremendous EV turnout. We are pleased to announce the winners of our drawing for the free EV charging stations.

Congratulations go to:

Mike Coughlan, winner of a ClipperCreek Level 2 charging station.

David Kennington, winner of a ClipperCreek Level 2 charging station.

Grace Conner, winner of an Eaton Level 2 residential charging station.

Metro Plug-In will be formally notifying the winners later this week. They are also welcome to call Metro Plug-In at 404-654-0585 to claim their prize.

100 EV's sign up for National Plug In Day in Atlantic Station

Fri, 27 Sep 2013 22:11:12 GMT

ElectrifyAtlanta.com Site unbiased Electric Vehicle information for Atlanta and Georgia

Fri, 27 Sep 2013 01:38:58 GMT

Chris Campbell's Electric Vehicles fact sheet (PDF, 182 kB) as an intro to EVs. The first page summarizes the cars available on the market now, and the second page goes through the basics of electric vehicles. EV veterans may note that I list the electric drivetrain horsepower, because I believe that THAT is one of the fundamental differentiators for EVs on the market -- not just the price and range! Also it factors in and highlights the cost after tax credits.

Map of charging stations around Atlanta (PDF, 642 kB) to demonstrate how widespread EV charging has already become in just two years. It includes a list of the top locations around town, and suggests some mapping websites to use to find stations anywhere in the country.

Check Chris' http://electrifyatlanta.com site!

What is like at our monthly meetings at Manuel's?

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 14:54:34 GMT

We meet in the North room and anyone can request needing a charge to the group, or arrive by 6pm and there will be plenty of charging spaces. Meeting starts at 7pm while everyone has dinner. we discuss what's going on in Atlanta within the EV space and as a collection of owners, we do have some attention from manufacturers and share trip tips, vehicle quirks and activities promoting EV adoption. It is great to learn and share experiences. We stay atop of Georgia legislature and grants in the EV space and also location of new charging stations around town.

Other than the once monthly meetings, having 5 units offers plenty of charging opportunities. I've been patronizing the place more frequently on my trips to downtown due to its ease of use and location.

To use the Blink chargers you will need a blink card which are free for 2013 and will cost $1 per hour for charging