Solar Alternatives & Whole Foods Helps Baton Rouge Plug In To Electric Vehicles

BATON ROUGE, La. - Sept. 4, 2013 - PRLog -- BATON ROUGE, LA. (September 4, 2013) – With the help of New Orleans-based Solar Alternatives, the Whole Foods Market Baton Rouge store is the first Baton Rouge retailer to offer public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS). Whole Foods partnered with renewable energy company Solar Alternatives to install two EVCS in the parking lot that will be identified with green painted parking spaces and located on the side of the store.  Recharging a vehicle will be complimentary for the Baton Rouge store shoppers.

Solar Alternatives and Whole Foods Market will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at the market on Friday, September 6 at 10 a.m. to highlight the new parking spaces and demonstrate how the charging stations function.

“Whole Foods Market is delighted to offer an easy way for electric vehicles to refuel while the owner shops,” said Kristina Bradford, Louisiana community and media relations coordinator. “One of the company’s core values is caring about our communities and our environment, and this project is a natural fit.”

Solar Alternatives Founder Jeffrey Cantin emphasized, "Whole Foods Market is showing remarkable leadership in supporting the next generation of vehicles, which will have zero emissions and a much lower fuel cost. Like other progressive companies, Whole Foods Market understands how infrastructure is crucial to electric vehicles, and they want their customers to have the best experience possible."

"The Greater Baton Rouge Clean Cities Coalition (GBRCCC) applauds Solar Alternatives and Whole Foods of Baton Rouge for expanding the EV charging availability in the capital city," remarked Lauren Stuart, GBRCCC executive director and program coordinator.

While internal combustion engines only convert 20 percent of energy stored in gasoline, electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions and convert 75 percent of the chemical energy from the batteries to power the wheels. The EVCS provide a new infrastructure of fueling stations to support green vehicles.

This is not the first partnership between Solar Alternatives and Whole Foods Market. In 2011 Solar Alternatives assisted Whole foods in their adoption of two public EVCS at Whole Foods Market Arabella Station in Uptown New Orleans.

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About Solar Alternatives
Solar Alternatives was founded in 2008 to provide affordable, productive, and durable Solar and Renewable Energy systems solutions for Southeast Louisiana. Supporting electric vehicles and other wise environmental practices is part of Solar Alternative’s core values and strengthens its commitment to be a leader in environmental stewardship. For more information, please call 504-267-1660 or visit solalt.com.

About Whole Foods Market^®
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, NASDAQ- WFM), is the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America’s first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” by Health magazine. The company's motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, Team Member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement.