What is Labor Day and how did it get started?  For many school children, it heralds the end of their summer vacation and the return to school and its routine.  For many adults, it is just an excuse to have a long weekend. 

And in actuality, the long weekend is the reason that we have the holiday!  The holiday was created by the labor movement and labor unions and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.  It is an annual national tribute to the contributions that the American workforce has made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country.  A day off is the reward that seems most appropriate for hard-working Americans! 

Nearly 100 years after its founding, it is still unclear who first suggested the US observe Labor Day.  Some stories hold that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood Of Carpenters And Joiners and co-founder of the American Federation Of Labor (AFL), was the first to suggest a day to honor those “who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold.” 

Others believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, founded the holiday while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.  Recent research seems to support this belief.  What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic on Tuesday, September 5, 1882 in New York City.  They celebrated the second Labor Day on the same date (September 5^th) a year later.  

In 1884, the first Monday in September was chosen as the official holiday, with the Central Labor Union urging similar organizations to follow their example and celebrate a “workingman’s holiday” on that date.  The idea spread with the growth of organized labor and in 1885, Labor Day was celebrated in industrial towns across the country. 

The first law officially recognizing Labor Day was passed by the state of Oregon on February 21, 1887.  During that year, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York passed similar legislation.  By the end of the decade, Connecticut, Nebraska and Pennsylvania also had official Labor Day holidays.  By 1894, twenty-three  states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28^th of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and its territories.  

Originally, Labor Day celebrations consisted of street parades to exhibit to the public “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations” of the community, followed by a festival of recreation and amusement of the workers and their families.  Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed on the social and economic influence of the holiday.  In 9090, the AFL adopted the Sunday before Labor Day as Labor Sunday and dedicated it to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.  Today, celebrations take many forms but the message is still the same.  

American workers have added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and brought us all closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy.  

GatorMoto Utility Vehicles salutes those responsible for so much of our nation’s strength, freedom and leadership – the American worker!  Our office will be closed on Monday, September 6, 2010 for the Labor Day holiday.   We wish everyone a safe, restful and happy Labor Day!

According to the Electric Auto Association (EAA) in a 2009 flyer posted on their website (http://www.eaaev.org/Flyers/images/low%20resolution%20(online)/eaaflyer-evhistory.pdf), our interest in electrically-powered vehicles (EV’s) is nothing new.  In the late 1890’s, electric vehicles made up over 90% of all vehicles sold.  Some automobile companies, Oldsmobile and Studebaker among them, actually began as EV companies, only to become gasoline-powered vehicle makers later.  The first car dealership was opened in 1896 and sold only EVs! 

Early electric vehicles were hand assembled, as were most cars of the time.  They were the first vehicles with power steering (1897), the first to win an auto race in America (1895), and the first car purchased by a woman (1898).  The first speeding ticket ever given was also earned in an EV (1903).  Henry Ford even bought his wife an EV in 1908! 

Sadly, with the advent of the motorized assembly line for gasoline-powered vehicles, EV manufacturers were unable to purchase components in enough volume to compete with their gasoline-powered counterparts and the EV industry died off. 

Other factors contributed to their demise as well.  The infrastructure for electricity was still largely concentrated in cities, limiting EV travel to in-city travel.  When the electric starter was introduced to gasoline-powered vehicles in 1913, eliminating the need for strenuous and dangerous crank starting, EV production took another blow.  By the end of World War I, production of EVs had stopped and the remaining EVs became specialty vehicles, used mostly as taxis, trucks, delivery vans and freight handlers. 

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the OPEC oil embargo and concerns about air pollution re-ignited interest in EVs.  During that period, Congress passed more regulatory statutes than ever before due to concerns about the health risks of gasoline-powered cars – dirty air, collisions, etc.  But it took until the 1990s, and the passage of California’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, for America to really become interested, once again, in EVs.  

These EVs were, like their predecessors, hand-built and expensive.  That, coupled with the fact that the ZEV Mandate was weakened by amendments over the years, made EVs less attractive to the average American driver and forced the major car manufacturers to halt production again — Toyota was the last major auto maker to stop EV production in 2003.  

Still, interest in EVs would not die.  When the Tesla Roadster was introduced in 2008, interest in EVs soared again, and it continues to grow today.  With new innovations in batteries, electric motors and controls, new government interest and support and continuing concerns about the environment, EVs are perfectly positioned to retake the vehicle market in a big way.  

It seems that all that’s old is now new again!  Hurray for EVs!

With electric vehicles becoming the technology of the not-so-distant future, how are other countries handling the charging of electric vehicles?

While the US is largely concentrating its efforts on building charging stations in large, sunbelt metropolitan areas at this time, with others to follows at a later date, other countries are taking different approaches.

In a March 17, 2010 article on the Voice Of America website (http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/american-life/Electric-Vehicles-Charge-Ahead-in-US-87825607.html), they explain that Denmark’s largest utility is working with a California-based company called Better Place, to build a charging network that will span their country.  Instead of plugging their vehicles in, Danes will have battery swap-out stations, where they will switch their batteries for brand new, fully-charged ones.  Utility CEO Anders Eldrup is quoted as saying “We are building these switch stations here in Denmark — a number of them — so that when people want to cross the country, then they can very easily.  If it works according to plans — we hope it will — then you can, within three to four minutes, faster than you can put gasoline in your car, you can switch the battery for a brand new one, which is fully charged, and off you go.”  The system is due to come on line next year.  Danish drivers will pay a monthly subscription to access the battery charging network and possibly also pay by the mile.

Another innovative approach comes from Japan, where wireless charging is being considered according to an article from MSN’s website by Jacob Gordon of Treehugger, (http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1123969&icid=autos_0175>1=22022).  According to the article, Nissan is already experimenting with ways to charge EV batteries wirelessly, using magnetic induction — the same technology found in electric toothbrushes and pacemakers.

We all know that we now live in a global community, and it will be interesting to watch the evolution of technology as electric vehicles become more mainstream.  We can all watch and learn from each other, and there doesn’t seem to be a single, “right” answer that fits every situation.  By working together, we can find new and innovative ways to solve our energy problems and make the world a greener place for everyone.

This week, we would like to introduce you to one of our local clients, Arelia James Island.  Located on Jacksonville, Florida’s southside, Arelia James Island offers luxury apartment living with easy access to downtown and The University Of North Florida.

These beautiful new apartments were developed and are managed by The Morgan Group of Houston, Texas.  Founded in 1959 as a private national real estate company, The Morgan Group now specializes in creating Class A multi-family luxury apartment communities. With offices not only in Houston, but also in Carlsbad, California and Orlando, Florida, they have developed an award-winning portfolio of mid-rise, mixed use and suburban properties in Orlando, Jacksonville, Charlotte, Kansas City, Denver, Austin, Houston, San Diego, Fullerton, Orange County and Los Angeles. 

The apartments at Arelia James Island feature 9 foot ceilings and lots of natural sunlight for an open, airy feeling.  Gourmet kitchens, garden bathtubs, walk-in closets, premium cabinets, plumbing and fixtures and full-size washers and dryers are just some of the amenities offered.  They offer many different floorplans and some units even offer optional detached garages.

The community offers a resort-style pool and clubhouse, state-of-the-art fitness center, billiards room, internet cafe with coffee bar and computer stations, and an outdoor gas grill.  The neighborhood is within walking distance of the St. Johns Town Center, an open-air mall with shopping, dining and entertainment.  

Arelia James Island recently purchased a 6 passenger Electro Bubble Buddy LS from GatorMoto Utility Vehicles, which they use to show potential tenants around the property.  

We are proud to have them as our client, and want everyone to know that if they are looking for luxury apartment living in the Jacksonville area, they should consider the beautiful Arelia James Island.  To find out more, visit their website at http://areliajamesisland.com/.

The Electric Drive Vehicle Deployment Act of 2010 was introduced in Congress recently, with the goal of electrifying half of all cars and trucks on US roads by 2030.  Congress is considering new legislation that would provide large grants to cities to establish the infrastructure necessary for electric cars and increase tax credits for their buyers.  Two slightly different versions have been introduced, one in each house of Congress.  Both are still in their infancy, and far from becoming the law of the land, but here’s what we know so far: 

House Of Representatives:  H.R. 5442:  This bill is being considered “to establish programs to accelerate, provide incentives for, and examine the challenges and opportunities associated with the deployment of electric drive vehicles, and for other purposes.”  Sponsored by Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) and co-sponsored by Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL), Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Jerry McNerney (D-CA), the bill was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on May 27, 2010. 

Senate:  S 3442:  This bill is being considered “to promote the deployment of plug-in electric drive vehicles, and for other purposes.”  Sponsored by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and co-sponsored by Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), this bill was read twice and referred to the Senate’s Committee On Finance. 

In an article on earth2tech.com,writer Josie Garthwaite lists 10 things we all should know regarding these electric drive vehicle bills.   She explains that the Department Of Energy would hold the purse strings on any program(s) created by this legislation.  Funding sources for the Senate version are undetermined at this time, but the House version calls for regional governments to sell $100 million in bonds to help fund the infrastructure buildout.

The Secretary Of Energy would, through a competitive application process, award to 5 cities or transportation corridors (including at least one focused on heavy-duty electric vehicles) the funds necessary to implement the program(s).  Under H.R. 5442, the communities would be chosen based on several criteria, including the level of cost sharing they propose for grant projects, whether plans are in place for deploying public charging infrastructure and updating building codes, solid partnerships with a range of stakeholders and assurances that equipment will employ open standards.  Other criteria have been suggested by interested parties, including the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that would be prevented, what state and local incentives might be in place already, proximity to other communities where EVs and infrastructure could be deployed and how the program will assist in efforts to roll out EVs nationwide. 

The House version provides that qualifying criteria for pilot communities would be released within 120 days of the bills passage, and the communities would be chosen within a year of the bill’s enactment.  The Senate version’s provisions are not available at this time. 

Under the House bill, the first 100,000 consumers purchasing Electric Vehicles (EVs) in each of the pilot communities would get rebates or some other form of incentives in the amount of at least $2,000 per car, and up to a $2,000 tax credit on the purchase and installation of charging equipment.  Businesses could get as much as a $50,000 credit for purchase and installation of multiple charging stations. 

The Senate version would expand the current $7,500 tax credit for EVs to include medium- and heavy-duty hybrid vehicles, such as pickups, commercial trucks and SUVs.  Residents in the pilot communities would be eligible for rebates of up to $10,000 on an electric vehicle purchase. 

To read the complete article and learn more about this important pending legislation, go to http://earth2tech.com/2010/05/28/electric-car-bills-on-the-hill-10-things-you-should-know/).

GatorMoto Utility Vehicles is pleased to introduce you to our client, Admiral Security Services. 

Admiral Security Services, with its home office in Bethesda, Maryland, offers security services to a vast array of clients, from small retail businesses to multi-state commercial/industrial complexes.  With branch offices in Baltimore, Maryland; Miami, Florida; Orlando, Florida; Ocala, Florida; Melbourne, Florida and Richmond, Virginia; they provide security programs that are custom-tailored to the individual needs of their clients by providing experienced, highly-trained personnel and management accountability at an affordable price.

Not only do they provide uniformed security officers, security patrol services, lobby attendant services and armed/unarmed security guards, but they are also capable of handling security issues resulting from emergencies such as floods, fires (including evacuation and fire watches), bomb threats, people trapped in elevators, union actions, civil unrest, natural disasters, emergency facility shutdowns, conventions/shows, festivals and sporting events.

Through their Access Control Division, Admiral Security Services can assist clients in developing an integrated security program using state-of-the-art monitoring and surveillance equipment.  All such systems are continuously monitored and maintained by their Central Station, located at their corporate offices in Bethesda.  They also work closely with local public safety departments.  Their goal is to provide peace of mind to all the people who work in or visit a client’s facility.

Recently, their location in Miami, Florida purchased six 2-passenger Bubble Buddy vehicles from GatorMoto Utility Vehicles, which included full weather enclosures and security lights.  These will be used in an industrial facility where their security officers do security patrols.

GatorMoto Utility Vehicles is proud to have supplied these vehicles, and encourage all of our readers to look into their company when considering security services

For more information on Admiral Security Services, please visit their website at http://www.admiralsecurity.com/home.aspx.

North Florida Retirement Village (aka The Village) is located in Gainesville, Florida and offers a variety of retirement lifestyles, from independent to assisted living.  The 104-acre campus is a place of natural beauty, with small ponds, native pines and live oak trees, which were carefully preserved during its construction.  Yet, it is only 10 minutes from major shopping malls, theaters and restaurants.  It is also close to the University Of Florida.  The Village provides world-class healthcare, recreational activities, cultural events and more.

Independent living facilities come in several configurations, from individual cottage homes at Cottage Place to luxury apartments at Magnolia Grand, Magnolia Grand South and Lake House.  Resort-style apartments are available at The Cypress and Tower Villas.  

Assisted living options provide for residents who require varying levels of medical and living assistance on a regular basis.                          

- Rose Court is a 50-room assisted living center designed for those who require some assistance with daily living.  Residents can decorate their private rooms with personal possessions and furnishings. 

- Jasmine Pointe is the newest facility, offering 60 larger accommodations, many suitable for couples.  Efficiency dwellings are perfect for single occupancy, while one bedroom accommodations are available for single or double occupancy.

- Azalea Trace is a 20-room residence for people with memory impairment.  The limited number of residents allows staff to focus on individual attention, increased security, and the enhancement of social interaction. 

All residents have access to a 24-hour healthcare staff, housekeeping and linen services, scheduled transportation and a comprehensive daily activities program, three meals serves restaurant-style each day, a resident-activated alert system, assistance with bathing, dressing and grooming, and ongoing monitoring of health needs and medications.   

Whichever lifestyle a resident chooses, they have access to The Tower Club. The Tower Club is a luxurious clubhouse which offers residents a cafe-style dining area, private dining areas for special occasions, the Windjammer Lounge, a computer cyber center and reading room, a health and fitness center, an art studio with ceramics kiln, a heated outdoor pool and hot tub and two outdoor tennis courts.  Additionally, there is “Clippers” hair salon, offering barber and beautician services.  The William E. Rion Auditorium is available for themed dinners, performances and more. 

North Florida Retirement Village recently purchased a 15-Passenger Electro Bubble Buddy Low Speed Vehicle with a full enclosure and running boards from GatorMoto Utility Vehicles.  They use it for transportation around their beautiful campus.

To learn more about North Florida Retirement Village, visit their website at http://www.thevillageonline.com/.

The University Of Central Florida in Orlando has taken a giant step toward becoming a more environmentally friendly campus by providing electric vehicle users a way to charge their vehicles.   

Located in the D1 parking lot on the east side of Memory Mall, the carport uses solar panels to produce electricity which can then be used to charge electric vehicles.  Construction began last November, and the station opened in January.  The total cost of the project was about $380,000, which includes the cost of structural construction, solar panels and electronic hardware.  The cost was covered by a research grant from the Florida Energy Systems Corporation.  

Unless a vehicle uses more than 10 kilowatt-hours of power, there is no charge for using the carport.  

The carport has four parking spots.  Each space has a standard 120-volt, 20-amp outlet and two of the spaces will also include 240-volt 20-amp outlets to support larger vehicles.  The pedestals are also reconfigurable to provide for future vehicle charging configurations as they are developed and come into use. 

The facility will first serve as a test bed for research and provide UCF with a way to charge its fleet of plug-in electric vehicles.  It will be made available to students as the demand for this service grows. 

To learn more, visit http://www.centralfloridafuture.com/solar-charging-station-planned-for-student-use-1.2162596.

The biggest rollout of electric vehicle infrastructure in the world is about to begin in the United States.
 
Urban planners are now deciding the locations of more than 11,000 charging stations in 11 major cities.  Their goal is to have them up and running by the end of 2010, when Nissan and General Motors are expected to begin selling the first mass-market electric cars.  This could be good news for all electric vehicle owners.
 
Last year, the Department Of Energy awarded a $99.8 million contract to Electric Transportation Engineering Corp. (eTec), an electric transportation research and development firm, to build electric vehicle charging networks in five states.  Construction is due to begin soon and completion is expected to take about 36 months.
 
By this summer, charging infrastructure will be deployed in the following areas:  Phoenix, AZ; Tucson, AZ; San Diego, CA; Portland, OR; Eugene, OR; Corvallis, OR; Seattle, WA; Nashville, TN and Chattanooga, TN. 
 
The current plan is to offer Level 2 and Level 3 charging.  Level 2 charging systems recharge electric vehicles in 4-6 hours utilizing 220 volt power.  Typically, they are used for overnight charging at home or at a business that operates a fleet of electric vehicles.  Level 3 charging is often referred to as fast charging.  It allows electric vehicles to be recharged in minutes rather than hours.  Two hundred fifty Level 3 chargers will be deployed in high-density areas of each of the five launch markets and in major transportation corridors to allow electric vehicle users to commute between major cities.
 
A demonstration period of 2 years is planned, so that transportation officials can evaluate the program.  Hopefully, the results will be good enough to expand the charging station network to include more locations.
 
For more information on the EV Project, visit the website at http://www.theevproject.com.

We are always looking for new sources of information for fellow electric vehicle enthusiasts, and we have a new resource to share – the Electric Auto Association!
 
This not-for-profit group was formed as a 501(c)(3) charitable/educational corporation in 1967 in San Jose, California.  Their current headquarters are located in Aptos, California
 
Their purpose is:
 
1.  To act as a source of information for their members, other organizations and the public on the current state of electric vehicle technology worldwide.

2.  To encourage experimentation in building electric vehicles, focusing on improving energy and resource efficiency, reducing emissions and improving vehicle safety.

3.  To promote and organize public exhibits of electric vehicles built by members and others in order to inform the public on the progress of electric vehicle technology and conduct public opinion polls.

4.  To use all media, such as newsletters, websites, information packages and other paper and electronic media designed to inform the public and promote the use of electric vehicles.
 
With chapters in 30 states, Canada and Europe, they are spreading the word worldwide that electric vehicles are a clean, easy and fun method of transportation.  The Association also has educational chapters located at Alamance Community College in Graham, NC; Appalachian State University in Boone, NC; West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV, and James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.  The National Electric Drag Racing Association (NEDRA) in Santa Rosa, CA is considered a specialty a chapter of The Electric Auto Association.
 
The group’s website (http://www.eaaev.org/) offers great information on all types of electric vehicles, from LSVs and NEVs to the electric and hybrid production models coming from the large automobile manufacturers.  They also produce a monthly newsletter, Current Events, that offers timely news and information about the state of electric vehicle technology, availability and related legislation. 

In their brochure, Plug Or Pump?, they make a very valid point about the future of electric vehicles: “The price of gasoline will continue to rise.  As the production volume of EVs increases, the purchase price will decrease.  Each mile, each year, gas-powered cars add  more pollution and greenhouse gases into the environment.  As the electrical grid gets cleaner, by increasing the use of renewable energy sources (mandated by law), EVs will continue to get cleaner!”  Sounds like a great argument for going electric, doesn’t it?