In February 2013, I made a decision that would transform not only my driving experience but also my perspective on transportation and sustainability. When I bought my electric vehicle (EV), a 2013 Ford Focus, it was at a time when EVs were still a novelty here in Florida and no public charging stations in the South-east region.

Electric Vehicle charging is not quite the same as combustion engine fueling. Some good experiences, and some bad, but always different.

The city of Orlando has a sustainability goal of achieving net zero carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2050. As the city’s municipal utility, Orlando Utilities Commission, known as OUC, the Reliable One, announced its intention to meet that goal, as well as interim targets of 50% reduction by 2030 and 75% by 2040.

Broward County Schools is one of just a handful of Florida school districts that have started the transition to electric school buses. Florida Transportation Systems (FTS) and FPL, the electric utility serving the county, were integral partners in the school district’s decision to make the shift. At this time, the Broward Schools has taken delivery of 20 of the 60 electric school buses on order.