Event at SunTrax encourages EV adoption by Florida businesses

ORLANDO, Fla. –  From Nov. 7 through 9, OUC – The Reliable One will host a three-day EV Ride and Drive event at the SunTrax test track facility in Auburndale, Florida. Fellow utilities Tampa Electric Company and Lakeland Electric also will be on-site encouraging commercial fleet operators across the state to get behind the wheel and convert to Electric Vehicles (EVs).

Fleet operators can test drive varying models and sizes of electric fleet vehicles. Additionally, participants can speak directly with EV providers about fleet management, infrastructure installation and service. Representatives for area utilities, including OUC, will be available to discuss infrastructure deployment and help them develop a plan to convert their fleets to EVs while making a financial justification for the transition. 

The following vehicles are scheduled for test drives or ride-alongs with a company representative on a designated driving course:

• Light duty vehicles (Mustang Mach-E)
• Pickups (Ford F-15, Rivian)
• Van (Ford E-Transit)
• Box Trucks (Motiv)

Two additional Ride and Drive events took place across the state:

• Nov. 1, 2023; Tallahassee, Governor’s Square Mall – sponsored by the City of Tallahassee Utilities
• Nov. 3, 2023 – Jacksonville, The Avenues Mall – sponsored by JEA and Seminole Cooperative Utilities

The event is one of many efforts OUC has undertaken to encourage EV adoption. In July, the utility opened the Robinson ReCharge Mobility Hub, featuring 21 level-3 rated charging ports. As one of the largest EV charging hubs in Florida, the project is part of OUC’s $45 million commitment to electrify transportation. In 2022, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection awarded OUC a grant, totaling $266,800, to build a second high-speed EV charging facility at the Orange County Convention Center South Concourse parking lot, and OUC plans to facilitate the launch of six more charging hubs by 2025.

OUC has programs in place that make EV adoption more accessible for its customers, including its Charge-It and Own-It programs that offer businesses cost-effective options for fleet EV charging station installation, and its incentive program for customers who test drive and lease EVs from car dealerships.

About OUC—The Reliable One

In June 2023, OUC—The Reliable One celebrated 100 years of providing exceptional value to its customers and community through the delivery of sustainable and reliable services and solutions. The utility provides electric, water, chilled water, lighting and solar services to more than 400,000 accounts in Orlando, St. Cloud and parts of unincorporated Orange and Osceola counties. As OUC prepares for the next century, it remains committed to its goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 while supporting its community with conservation, sustainability and energy efficiency resources. Visit www.ouc.com to learn more.