Our Thoughts
As thought leaders in electric mobility, renewable energy and innovation, we
have a unique perspective. Here are some of our thoughts.
have a unique perspective. Here are some of our thoughts.
 It’s been all over the news – U.S. announced it will no longer exempt countries from its oil sanctions against Iran. This is in addition to the sanctions imposed earlier this year which significantly reduced Iran’s production. When there is a disruption, or potential disruption to oil supply, prices change. You've probably noticed increased prices at the gas pump this week. Following these announcements, U.S. oil producers showed increases in production, which then causes prices to begin declining. The price of crude oil is largely out of our control and is certainly volatile.  Events like this strengthen the case for a wider shift away from internal combustion engines and hydrocarbons in favor of electric transportation and renewable energy.
When thinking about EVs, the first that comes to mind is probably Tesla. The industry also includes electric buses, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, scooters, boats and construction equipment. Anything that runs on gasoline or diesel can be replaced by battery electric vehicles. This transition is happening. As EV adoption increases, renewable energy generation like wind, solar and hydro grow with it, as does the need for energy storage (batteries) This does not mean all fossil fuel production and usage should end tomorrow and renewables and EVs will take over. We certainly need energy to power our world today. So, why are sanctions against Iran good for the environment? Because volatile oil prices make the shift to electric transportation and renewable energy even easier. Renewable energy generated in the United States, maintained by U.S. workers and used to power our transportation needs is not only critical for the environment, but necessary for our national interests. EVs, renewable energy and battery storage will continue to grow in tandem, build a cleaner future, and providing greater control over domestic energy needs.
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We helped a Harrisburg area business save over $5,500 on installation costs, $8,700 in equipment expenses and receive a $4,300 rebate  We spoke with a large entertainment and event business located in Harrisburg PA. They wanted to get EV Ready and attract new customers to their facility. They also wanted to generate some positive PR and demonstrate their focus on a cleaner community.
They received quotes to install EV charging equipment but it seemed expensive and they weren’t clear how to start the process. Our team discussed the benefits, our process and the potential to receive a significant rebate from the PA Department of Environmental Protection. They hired us and we began our needs assessment. This business wanted EV charging, but did not need or want a high-end system, simply something reliable that would charge EVs at their facility. Our team selected two non-networked charging stations from a leading manufacturer that met the requirements of the PA rebate program. The equipment cost was about $1,300 instead of around $10k from the other company. To be clear, there are benefits that come with a more expensive, higher end charging station. In this situation, our client did not need or want that. If you’re keeping track, that’s about $8,700 in savings just on the equipment. Installation is an expensive part of the project. Their options were somewhat limited due to the layout of the parking lot and building. We obtained multiple quotes for two different installation options. Previously, they were only told about one, which was a sidewalk mount. This means they did a trench through the sidewalk, run electric wiring, mount a post in the sidewalk for the charging station, and then cement the trench. $8,600 We were able to work with the electricians and develop a bespoke (highly customized) installation that was much less expensive. The equipment was mounted on the outside wall of the front of the building that also happened to be securely protected behind a fence. The total cost was $3,100, or a savings of $5,500 in installation costs. Finally, we designed the project to comply with the PA DEP grant program. Their rebate voucher was approved for about $4,300. This is how the ChargeForward team helps businesses get EV Ready. If we add the $8,700 equipment savings and the $5,300 in installation, that’s about $14,000 that they did not need to spend AND they received a rebate for $4,300. We do a few other things too, like setting them up to attract EV drivers directly to their business like a magnet, 7 days a week. If you would like our team to take a look, we would love to hear from you. We do free consultations and have a 100% satisfaction rate from our clients. Because of that, if we choose to work together and you’re not completely thrilled with our service, we’ll give you a full refund. Simply click HERE and our team will be in touch.  Staying competitive in any business is a critical component of success. With the rise of smart phones, Google, reviews and the internet, there’s not a lot of room for error. The hospitality industry is currently seeing some of the most significant changes in its history thanks to technology and innovation. Airbnb and HomeAway are growing at an incredible pace. Airbnb did more than $1 billion in revenue for just the third quarter of 2018. Fundamentals like great service, clean rooms, technology and affordability are important. All hotels strive for this, but it’s not enough. A special in-room dining experience is also a highly recommended service to add value, but how can you differentiate from your competition and take it one step further? Maybe even attract new guests directly to your location like a magnet?  Sustainability A winning strategy that will allow guests to feel good about who they do business with while creating a more sustainable future is a great way to stay competitive. There are many things that can be done to improve sustainability including: Energy efficient lighting Recycling Water reduction Unplugging devices not in use Purchasing electricity through your provider produced by renewable energy And even smart thermostats These are important first steps toward a more sustainable future, but how can sustainability help your organization stand out and attract new guests?  Electric Vehicle Charging For Your Business If there were a way to attract more guests directly to your location while building a cleaner environment, would that be helpful? Electric Vehicles (EVs) are the future and increasing rapidly (growth industry) Pennsylvania is one of the top states in the U.S. for EV growth. As more of them hit the road, more charging locations are needed. EV drivers are environmentally-conscious, highly educated, and typically higher income earners. They want to feel good about where they spend their money and are always looking for places to re-charge their cars. HOW do they find charging location? This is the magnetic attraction part and is very exciting. They use smart phone apps and specially designed navigation systems in their vehicles to locate charging stations, and plan trips accordingly. The lodging industry is great for this because they can charge their vehicles overnight, and be ready to go in the morning. If one location offers EV charging and another does not, they will go to where they can plug in, everytime.  How We Can Help
We guide businesses like yours through the process of getting what we like to call EV Ready, and we have a 100% success rate. There are also grant programs in multiple states right now that greatly reduce the total costs. For an example, check out our case study on how we helped a Harrisburg PA business. We created ChargeForward to directly increase EV usage, build a cleaner environment, promote EVs and renewable energy technology, and help businesses use it as an asset to attract more customers. As leaders in the industry, we have significant industry contacts and we’re advocates for sustainability and electric mobility. ChargeForward serves on multiple public and private organizations internationally. If you would like us to take a look at your location for a no cost consultation, simply click HERE and our team will be in touch shortly. As we mentioned, we are proud of our 100% customer satisfaction history. Because of that, if we decide to work together and for some reason you’re not 100% satisfied with the ChargeForward Team and the work we do, let us know and we will give you a full refund of our Consulting Services. |
AuthorWe're thought leaders and serve as an advocate for electric mobility, renewable energy and innovation. These are some of our thoughts. Archives
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