Under a pilot project Kohl will install electric vehicle charging stations across the America in more than 33 of its stores in Florida, California, Maryland, New York, Arizona, Michigan, Oregon, Virginia, Texas, Tennessee and Washington.
Due to this project Kohl’s customers will be able to charge their Electric Vehicles for free while they shop. Charging stations can be activated with radio frequency identification cards or by using telephone numbers located on the charging stations. Each store in project will have one to four parking spaces reserved for Electric Vehicle Drivers.
Kohl’s Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. John Worthington said that „Not only are these stations an added shopper convenience, they also encourage environmental responsibility among our shoppers. We will continue to explore additional locations to pilot charging stations at our stores nationwide.”
Kohl retailer is partnering withPhoenixbased ECOtality Inc. and Coulomb Technologies on the project. The total number of locations is divided into 14 locations with ECOtality’s Blink Electric Vehicle charging stations while 19 locations will be part of Coulomb Technologies ChargePoint stations.
ECOtality is the project manager for another also called The EV Project, an effort that will install thousands of charging stations in 18 cities across several states inAmerica. Last month, Walmart also announced it is also partnering with ECOtality to install Blink Electric Vehicle charging stations at select stores in various states as part of The Electric Vehicle Project.
The Wisconsin-based company is committed to its sustainable efforts. With 116 activated solar locations in theU.S., Kohl’s is touted asNorth America’s largest retail host of solar power. Kohl’s recycling program recycled over 151,000 tons of waste in 2010. And with over 670 Energy Star and 200 Leed-certified stores, the company was named the Energy Star Partner of the Year in both 2010 and 2011and the EPA Green Power Partner of the Year for 2009 and 2010.
Let’s see if Kohl’s will determine whether or not to continue with the free service at the end of the trial period.
