By Stuart Ungar, Solclusion Energy Group

How did you first get into EVs?

People get into driving and promoting electric vehicles for a wide variety of reasons. Perhaps the most common reason these days is the skyrocketing cost of gas and diesel. But while saving money is attractive for everyone, health and environmental concerns were the priorities for me and a lot of others I knew when I became an EV driver and advocate over a decade ago.

I began promoting and building out EV infrastructure when it was almost nonexistent in Kentucky. Now, I work for Solclusion Energy Group, and am extremely proud of what we’ve done. As a company, we are not only putting in EV chargers, but also making a real difference in our communities.

Solclusion, under the leadership of Brent Boyd, has a long history of developing and installing large-scale solar energy projects. Now in addition to solar, Solclusion is embracing EV infrastructure, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and consulting, drawing on its leaders’ backgrounds in electrical and mechanical engineering.

“As a company, commitment to global sustainability is a crucial part of our mission,” said Boyd. “By playing a role in protecting the environment, we can directly safeguard human health and elevate local communities.”

The American Lung Association’s report, “Zeroing in on Healthy Air” goes a long way to point to solutions for improving public health and addressing climate issues. The report notes that shifting away from combustion vehicles is critical to improving public health. And, while poor air quality affects everyone, those most impacted by harmful emissions are often residents of lower-income communities.

Though EV advocacy often is driven by a mission focused on health and the environment, financial benefits follow. According to the report, moving to 100 percent non-combustion, zero-emission vehicles over the next 30 years could generate $1.2 trillion (yes, trillion) in health benefits in the United States. This includes: Approximately 110,000 lives saved, over 2.7 million childhood asthma attacks avoided, 13.4 million lost work days avoided, and over $1.7 trillion in global climate benefits gained.

Installing Chargers for Hospitals

So, going from the big picture, what are we at Solclusion doing to make a difference in our communities?

Most recently, we have been working on installing Level 2 EV chargers for area hospitals. One site we are working on is Norton Healthcare’s Audubon Hospital in Louisville. We are installing eight load-managed chargers for doctors who requested them. Not only are the doctors driving cleaner and healthier, but the hospital has one more amenity to help attract and retain talented doctors to serve the community.

It is crucial to determine the use case before seriously considering an EV charger installation. This is something that often those who do not drive an EV don't fully understand. DC fast, Level 2 and even Level 1 charging are important, but they must be a good fit for the proposed site.

Feeding EVs at a Grocery Store

Another recent Solclusion installation was at Gem City Market in Dayton, Ohio. The co-op market provides healthy food in an area considered a food desert. With the installation of an EV charger in the parking lot, their members not only eat healthier, but also have a resource that will give their cars cleaner fuel while they shop. The EV charger also attracts EV drivers who may not otherwise shop at the co-op market.

Prayer and Power at Churches

We have had great success in installing Level 2 chargers at places of worship. In this day and age — where Americans seem to be more divided than united — care for the Earth is something that all faiths have in common. This, coupled with many places of worship having a hard time with aging and declining membership, points to the need for an amenity that speaks to caring for our planet and rewards folks for spending time in services, activities and meetings.

As we look to the future, it can be challenging short term, but we are actively seeking sites for Level 2 and DC fast charging. The secret to success is giving communities something that is valuable, fits their needs and points to a cleaner future.

About the Author

EVA member Stuart Ungar has spent a dozen years working in the EV infrastructure space, taking the lead in placing over 140 chargers at locations in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. He has been interested in sustainability since childhood and was the founder of EVolve Kentucky, an EVA chapter, and host of the Stu’s EV Universe podcast.