Cincinnati took another step towards becoming a green city this week with the launch of its All-Electric Car Incentive Pilot Project which provides free parking to all-electric cars at varying downtown parking lots. The program also extends free parking privileges to plug-in cars at any parking meter within the city limits.
Monday's announcement of the pilot program by Vice Mayor David Crowley on Fountain Square featured electric cars from Advanced Mechanical Products, Inc or AMP, Over the Rhine Electric Motor Car Company, and Xavier University.
Bryan Vielhauer, of Over the Rhine Electric Motor first got involved in the electric car business following feelings of frustration at the pump. Looking around his small sign company, Decal Impressions, Vielhauer spied a number of electric motors. Not long after that, the first prototype, a 1994 Toyota pickup truck, was seen tooling around the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood as well as the Opening Day Parade. The truck gets between 50 and 70 miles on a charge and can travel at highway speeds with zero emissions.
The pilot project is part of the Mayor’s Green Cincinnati Action Plan which features 80 recommendations to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and works to make Cincinnati a greener, healthier place to live.
Parking in the designated City owned garages will be on a first come, first serve basis with no overnight privileges.
To schedule an inspection and apply for the parking permits, contact the Office of Environmental Quality at (513) 352-6991 Monday through Friday 8 am to 5pm.
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