smart USA Unveils Three New Free EV Chargers In Long Beach to Celebrate National Plug In Day
All-new smart electric drive partners with Adopt a Charger and CBS EcoMedia at third annual clean-car celebration, Observed in 95 cities nationwide
Long Beach, CA, September 28, 2013 /3BL Media/ – In celebration of the launch of its new smart electric drive vehicle, smart USA today dedicated three new Level II, 240-volt EV Chargers as the lead sponsor of National Plug In Day at the California State University Chancellor’s Office area in Long Beach. Over 500 enthusiastic attendees were on hand throughout the day to get a first-hand look and test drive the smart electric drive and several other plug in vehicles available to the public.
The Long Beach Plug In Day was part of National Plug In Day being held in 95 different cities across the country. The third annual Plug In Day celebrates the clean-air emission-free benefits, significant cost-savings and sheer thrill of driving EVs.
Plug In America and Adopt a Charger organized this Los Angeles-area Plug In Day, featuring Long Beach Vice Mayor Robert Garcia, California State University Chancellor Timothy P. White, California Assembly Member Bonnie Lowenthal of District 70, Plug In America co-founder Paul Scott, environmentalist Ed Begley Jr., Adopt a Charger Executive Director Kitty Adams, alternative-fuel vehicle advocate Chelsea Sexton.
Hosting the special dedication of the new, free-to-the-public EV Chargers was Abe Samari, Field Operations Manager for smart, Mercedes-Benz USA and Paul Polizzotto, President and Founder of CBS EcoMedia Inc. Funding for the new EV chargers came from smart’s EcoAd advertising through CBS EcoMedia.
smart’s funding is providing free charging, service and maintenance for the charging stations for three full years. The charging hardware was donated by Google.
"smart USA is pleased to partner with Google to support the Plug In Day Celebration activities,” said Mark Webster, general manager, smart USA.
“smart USA and its parent company Daimler are committed to providing innovative products and solutions for the electric car segment."
Throughout the day members of the public and media got behind the wheel of smart Electric Drive cars for ride and drives of the all-electric vehicle along the scenic 2.5 test drive course. Other plug-in vehicles taken for a test spin included Tesla Model S cars, Nissan LEAFs, Chevy Volts, Fiat 500e cars, Honda Accord Plug In cars and Bartel’s Brammo electric motorcycles. In addition, dozens of all electric and plug in vehicles were on hand for personal inspections and Q&As with their owners.
"Adopt a Charger is grateful to smart USA and Google for collaborating on the installation of EV chargers at the Cal State University Office of the Chancellor,” said Kitty Adams, Executive Director of Adopt a Charger. “In addition to broadening the charging infrastructure, we are inspiring the CSU students, the next generation of consumers and decision makers, to make sustainable choices.”
The City of Long Beach issued an official proclamation declaring September, 28 as National Plug In Day in honor of the late Doug Korthof, a well-known EV advocate, California State University Long Beach alumnus and faculty member. The selection of the CSU Chancellor’s Office as host site is part of the university system’s ongoing efforts toward sustainability.
“EcoMedia is incredibly proud and enthusiastic about smart USA’s sponsorship of this historic National Plug In Day in Long Beach,” said Paul Polizzotto, President and Founder of CBS EcoMedia Inc. “These three new Level II EV chargers smart funded are going to help relieve the range anxiety we plug-in car drivers experience as the charging infrastructure gets put in place. Long Beach is one of Southern California’s premier destination locations and thanks to smart’s commitment, vision and innovation more and more residents and visitors can plug in and charge up for free as they help reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and our use of fossil fuels.”
About Smart USA
smart, a Daimler AG brand, has its U.S. headquarters in Montvale, New Jersey. The smart model-line consists of five fortwo models: the pure coupe, passion coupe, passion cabriolet and all electric drive versions of the coupe and cabriolet. The all-new third generation electric drive arrives in May 2013. All smart models sold in the U.S. are covered by a four-year, 50,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty.
Classified as ultra-low emissions vehicles by the State of California Air Resources Board, smart models are just under nine feet long, 5 feet tall and 5 feet wide. Despite their microcar exterior dimensions, smart vehicles are surprisingly roomy inside and have a full array of technological and safety features including the patented tridion safety cell which is designed to protect occupants in the event of a collision. All smart vehicles, designed to be 85% recyclable and over 95% reclaimable, are produced in the environmentally oriented "smartville" factory in Hambach, France. Additional information on smart can be found at www.smartusa.com.
About Plug In America
Plug In America is leading the nation’s plug-in vehicle movement. The nonprofit organization works to accelerate the shift to plug-in vehicles powered by clean, affordable, domestic electricity to reduce our nation's dependence on petroleum and improve the global environment. We drive electric. You can, too. www.pluginamerica.org.
About Adopt-A-Charger
Adopt a Charger, a nonprofit organization, accelerates the widespread adoption of plug-in vehicles through proliferation of public, fee-free electric car chargers, which are “adopted” by sponsors. These sponsors include corporations, organizations and individuals who donate funds to install and maintain EV chargers in parks, museums, beaches and other widely used public places. http://adoptacharger.org/
About CBS EcoMedia Inc.
At EcoMedia, we’re propelled by the desire to create positive social change; that’s been our mission since we founded the company in 2002. In 2010, after successfully partnering with CBS on a wide range of environmental projects, EcoMedia became the newest addition to the CBS Corporation portfolio, exponentially scaling our reach across television, radio, interactive, publishing and outdoor media.
Through our patent-pending EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd programs, an innovative twist on traditional advertising, advertisers are able to support much-needed local projects which in turn creates jobs, saves taxpayer money and improves the quality of life in communities nationwide. In the process, we’re fundamentally altering the advertising landscape, elevating the ordinary, traditional commercial – and media, in general – into a catalyst for tangible, quantifiable social change. Please visit ecomedia.cbs.com to learn more.
By participating in EcoMedia’s EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd advertising programs, EcoMedia’s advertisers agree to provide funding for projects we believe will have a beneficial effect upon the environment, health and/or education within local communities. EcoMedia’s advertising programs are not certification programs nor are the EcoAd, WellnessAd or EducationAd logos seals of approval. EcoMedia does not in any way certify, endorse or make any representations about EcoMedia program advertisers, their products or services.
