JCREMC to host EV Day event showcasing electric vehicles

FRANKLIN, Ind. – As part of a program to help consumers make informed decisions when purchasing electric vehicles, Franklin-based JCREMC is hosting its first EV Day on Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its headquarters at 750 International Dr.

The car show-style event will feature a chance to test drive an electric vehicle, see several EV models up close, and find out about JCREMC programs that make owning an EV even more affordable.

Several local auto dealerships are participating by bringing popular EV models to display during the event. JCREMC will have a Chevrolet Bolt available for test drives, and its EV Team members will be on-hand to answer questions about rebates, chargers and tax incentives. The free event is just one of the ways the local electric cooperative is supporting its members who are considering an electric vehicle purchase.

“Advances in electric vehicle technology, including improved range and faster charging options, mean that more JCREMC members will be driving EVs,” says JCREMC Energy Advisor Shane Neher, who leads the cooperative’s EV Team. “It’s our job to provide affordable and reliable electricity to charge them but we also want to provide our members with reliable information so they can make an informed decision.”

Once viewed as a fad, electric vehicles are now common on U.S. roadways and growing in popularity yearly. According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, in 2011, just over 10,000 EVs were sold in the United States. In 2020, more than 240,000 were sold—a 2400 percent increase in less than a decade.

JCREMC has several year-round resources for members thinking about or already driving an EV:

• The EV Experience is a loaner program for JCREMC’s Chevrolet Bolt that gives members the chance to test drive an electric vehicle in a non-sales environment. Members can schedule a test drive at jcremc.com/electric-vehicles.
• JCREMC’s Energy Advisor provides information on maximizing potential savings through rebates, rates, charging times, and more. Call 317-736-6174 to schedule a free appointment.
• JCREMC’s website, jcremc.com, has a one-stop-shop where members can learn about the newest EV models, calculate cost comparisons with gas-powered vehicles, find information on the logistics of owning an EV, and more. Click on “Electric Vehicles” under the “Savings” tab.
• JCREMC offers a rebate for installation of a 240v outlet to charge an EV. The co-op also offers a free Level 2 EV charger for qualifying members.

EV chargers allow consumers to schedule charging when electric rates are lowest. Under JCREMC’s cost-saving rate structures, charging an EV during the super-off-peak period from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., the cost to drive a Chevrolet Bolt would be less than $200 per year. Assuming an average gas price of $3.00 per gallon, the annual cost to drive the Chevrolet Spark, a compact, gas -powered vehicle with a similar size and performance, would be $1,000.

In addition to rebates through JCREMC, those who purchase a new EV may be eligible for federal tax incentives of up to $7,500.

JCREMC is a cooperative electric utility that supplies electric service to more than 26,000 meters in Johnson County and portions of Morgan, Shelby, and Brown counties.

Writer: Judith Kenninger
Media Contact: Jennifer Stewart-Burton, 317-738-7642