Local Green-Tech Company Envisions An "Open Source" Clean Transportation Future For Vancouver and Beyond

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Dec. 1, 2011) - Electric vehicle ownership in Metro Vancouver is expected to rise to 30,000 vehicles by as early as 2020, spurred on in part by provincial incentives for electric vehicles and charging systems that take effect today (Dec. 1^st 2011).

New electric vehicles (EVs) are eligible for point-of-purchase incentives of up to $5000, and home charging systems are eligible for a $500 mail-in rebate.

"Vancouver is on the cusp of an open source, clean transportation revolution," says J-M Toriel, founder of Big Green Island Transportation, the company that installed the home charging system for Vancouver's first Nissan LEAF owner. "EV owners are going to be looking for electrical outlets the same way we look for Wi-Fi signals today, and our goal is to build that network."

Thousands of new electric vehicles will necessitate the installation of new charging infrastructure and thousands of home garage charging systems. With dozens of charging options available to consumers, Big Green Island's extensive knowledge base and in-depth consultation will educate consumers to make ethical purchase decisions and help save them money.

According to the B.C. government, battery-powered vehicles will cost as little as $300 per year in electricity bills, compared to upwards of $1,500 per year to fuel a gas-powered car. The growth in this industry will also fuel green jobs, as the need for new infrastructure creates business opportunities.

"We're embracing an open source approach to charging infrastructure by offering a wide range of products and services, from mainstream systems endorsed by car manufacturers, to systems that some people may not even be aware of," says Toriel. "We're also offering options that allow consumers and municipalities to generate their own renewable electricity locally, and to share it with others through community charging stations."

In addition to installing residential chargers, the company has designed a series of clean transportation hubs for local municipalities. These "Big Green Islands" offer a modern-take on the gas station, with community cafés where drivers can sit and talk, have a coffee and check their email while their vehicles charge.

"With electric cars, the only thing we're asking people to give up is their tailpipe," says Toriel. "Everything else is about building community, retaining convenience and saving money."