BG going green with free electric charging stations - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

As gas prices continue to climb, a local community is thinking green and hoping to encourage people to use less fuel by supporting electric cars.

The price for a gallon of gas is quickly climbing towards $5 a gallon, making a simple drive a costly trip.

It's not the first time. Back in 2008, a spike in oil prices sparked people to invest in scooters, motorcycles and electric cars.

The trend is returning. At Thayer Toyota, customers are drawn to fuel efficient hybrids.

"Every year gas prices go up. This time we prepared for it, had a lot of hybrids in stock, 30 of them," says Thayer Toyota sales manager Tony Hernandez. "Now we're down to five."

Soon, drivers in Bowling Green will have a public place to charge their electric cars. The city is installing charging stations, a first for the area.

"It's another green project. The funds were there to pay for half of it, and it was the right thing to do," says technician Steve Shaffer with the BG Electric Division.

The project cost $30,000. A grant from Clean Fuels Ohio is paying half the bill, and the taxpayer EcoSmart fund is picking up the rest.

Here's how it works: Just park in the designated spot, and juice up your ride for free.

"We're going to leave them free for some time, to check on public reaction," says Shaffer. "How much usage they get may elevate the cost of electricity."

While the upfront cost of buying electric or hybrid might be outside your budget, experts predict, after five to ten years, you start making money with fewer trips to the pump.

Three stations are located downtown, and three more are on BGSU's campus.

The city plans on having the new charging stations in the downtown area up and running next week.