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GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
February 2, 2010
CONTACT: Molly Dannenmaier,
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
409-765-7834,
Molly.Dannenmaier@galvestonhistory.org
GHF Headquarters to Unveil Galveston’s First Electric Vehicle Charging Station Saturday, February 6
Positive Energy Resources, a Texas Renewable and Sustainable Resource Systems Integration company based in Houston, announced today that they have executed an agreement with Galveston Historical Foundation to install the first of several publicly accessible ChargePoint™ Electric Vehicle Charging Stations on Galveston Island at the Historical Foundation’s headquarters in the 1861 Custom House located at 502 20th Street in the Historic Downtown District. The Coulomb Technologies ChargePoint™ “Smartlet” EV Charging Station has been installed by Positive Energy Resources, the architects of the Houston EV Charge Network© and is available now for public use. Galveston Island is currently undergoing what has been termed as a “Historic Rebirth.” Galveston Historical Foundation, formed in 1954 and currently led by Board President David Bowers and Executive Director Dwayne Jones, leads the community in restoration and preservation efforts. In meeting with the principals of Positive Energy Resources, Director Jones and Special Projects Coordinator Matthew Pelz deemed the ChargePoint System to be an aesthetically pleasing and effective method of encouraging a practical and viable renewable and sustainable resources program. The ChargePoint System allows the use of an emerging clean fuel technology that can be easily integrated in the Historic Downtown District where many new technologies will not fit for architectural or other reasons. The 1861 Custom House ChargePoint unit is the first of over a dozen planned installations by Positive Energy Resources on Galveston Island over the next few months.
A map showing all 17 Houston-area ChargePoint locations, including the 1861 Custom House location, can be found by logging on to www.mychargepoint.net. All current and future electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) owners residing in or traveling to the Galveston area wishing to use the ChargePoint station can obtain a user card by logging on and registering. As a courtesy to new visitors and users, the Galveston Historical Foundation and Positive Energy Resources will provide free access until a user card can be obtained.
Guy Mannino is the CEO of Verdek EV, the South Central Region Distributor of Coulomb ChargePoint™ Systems. In welcoming Galveston Island to the ChargePoint National Charging Network, Mannino stated that although there are only a few electric vehicles on the road today, it is only a matter of time before they are commonplace. “With the upcoming introduction this year of the Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, Ford Transit Connect and many other plug-in electric vehicles, it is important that we begin now to develop and implement a well-conceived charging station deployment plan. Such a plan is necessary to maintain the pace and momentum needed to lead the nation in the building of an effective charging infrastructure required to service, support and sustain an emerging EV market that is projected to grow exponentially over the next few years.” Additionally, Mannino stated, “The ChargePoint system provides EV owners with a proven charging solution that is available at work or school and at many of the places they might normally frequent and park their vehicles for a period of time that will allow for recharging.” “This would include the many entertainment and restaurant venues like the ones present on Galveston Island. The demographic considerations for Galveston are near-perfect; The number of people who live and work on the Island, the close proximity to the Houston Metro area, an international tourism base with a mind-set that is supportive of recreational EV use, all provide an opportunity to develop an affordable and effective sustainable transportation solution on Galveston Island that can serve as a model for all similarly situated communities that can support EV use,” Mannino continued. “And, although there is government stimulus money available for the purpose of developing clean fuel technologies and charging infrastructure, much of what we are developing today is being paid for by private enterprise, not tax dollars”, he said in conclusion.
Mannino, former president of Pirelli Tires USA and VP with Porsche-Audi, is a big believer in the electric car movement--Verdek EV is also the North American distributor for the new Italian Tazzari Zero and also sells the ZAP line of EV’s, two of the more unique and interesting electric vehicles in the growing specialty vehicle segment of the auto market. Mannino has flown in a Tazzari Zero from Italy for introduction to the U.S. at the New York Auto Show, but, as a display of Verdek’s commitment to the Galveston Island ChargePoint project, Mannino has chosen to give Galveston Island residents and Mardi Gras visitors a “Sneak Peak” of the 2010 Tazzari Zero electric sports car. The Zero will be on display at Hotel Galvez from Friday, February 5th until Sunday, February 7th and will be present at the unveiling of the Galveston Historical Foundation ChargePoint installation at 10:00 am February 6th.
It should be noted that many neighborhood and low-speed electric vehicles are already in use on Galveston Island and more are on the way. The City of Galveston recently placed 2 new e-buses into service, and an electric taxi company, along with a shuttle service using 12 passenger EV’s, are soon to be in operation. Electric bicycles, scooters and motorcycle rentals are soon to be available and will complement a sustainable transportation initiative that has been well received by the public. The plans and projects underway are designed to make Galveston Island a national leader in clean-fuel sustainable transportation and renewable energy development programs.
Equally worthy of note is the fact that the City of Houston recently purchased and installed several Coulomb ChargePoint Charging Stations and has nearly 50 EV’s and PHEV’s in service today. Newly-elected Houston Mayor Anise Parker recently stated her continued support of the popular sustainable transportation program implemented by former Mayor Bill White. The installation of ChargePoint units in Galveston will serve to promote inter-city travel by Houston businesses and residents who own and drive electric vehicles and who travel to Galveston.
The public is invited to attend the Galveston ChargePoint unveiling and all related events. Positive Energy Resources and Verdek EV encourage all EV owners to show their support by attending the unveiling and to enjoy what promises to be an exciting Mardi Gras Galveston 2010.
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Positive Energy Resources is located in Cypress, Texas, with an office in Galveston. In addition to sales and installation of ChargePoint™, Positive Energy is a certified Mariah Power Windspire™ wind turbine dealer and is the parent company of Green Power Garages, an affiliated company that manufactures, sells and installs the Solara™ line of solar and wind-powered carports and garages, as well as the recently announced Enviro-Lodge™ containerized solar and wind powered shelter system that utilizes cargo containers in an integrated emergency or static life support or self-contained housing unit. For more information on the ChargePoint™ EV Charging Systems and the Houston EV Charge Network©, please contact Positive Energy Resources at 281.213.4981 or email them at: info@positiveenergyresources.com.
Websites: www.PositiveEnergyResources.Com or www.houstonEVcharge.com
For more information on Verdek, please go to: www.verdek-ev.com
For information on Galveston Historical Foundation, please go to: www.galvestonhistory.org
For more information on the ChargePoint System, please go to: www.mychargepoint.net
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