Deploying EV chargers and infrastructure is not only important to the state, residents, and Florida businesses but to manufactures, specifically, as well.
Lillibridge shared that Hyundai was reluctant to send its Ioniq 5 to Florida because of the lack of infrastructure, both public and private.
“In other states, California, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, you have to travel five to 10 miles to reach a high-speed charging station. In Florida, it’s over 70 miles,” he said. “We have to bring that number down.”
Lillibridge now gets about four cars to sell per month. “Honestly, when you drive a vehicle, you don’t know what color it is, so I can get you a vehicle, just don’t worry about what the color is,” he added.
Babur added the perception of people towards safety and technology is still not matching with the actual safety and technology level of the vehicles.
“Right now, we are really reaching great breakthroughs with the technology that is really bringing the cost down,” Babur says. “From the safety standpoint, there’s no carbon emissions and you don’t need to go to mechanic for regular maintenance.”
The one thing each panelist wanted the attendees to leave with:
- Thoburn: “We need to continue to educate people on where this technology is headed,”
- Babur: “Trust in the evolution of the battery technology, it’s safety and it’s range”
- Lillibriget: “Let your anxiety go away, you’re not going to get stuck on the side of the road unless you are a bad driver.”