Electric Vehicle Charging Station Kicks Off AFV Awareness Month

Gov. Gary R. Herbert has declared November 2012 the fourth annual Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Awareness Month, with the support of 40 Mayors from across the State of Utah. On Thursday November 1st, Utah Clean Cities Coalition and Salt Lake City community leaders kicked the month off by celebrating Utah Paperbox’s (UPB) electric vehicle charging stations and new facility.

The use of AFVs in the state is growing, as technology, public awareness, and infrastructure for these vehicles increases. This is a great addition to the alternative transportation options that are becoming more accessible to Utahns.

“It is important that people know there are other options for transportation that can reduce our reliance on foreign oil, reduce tail-pipe emissions, create American jobs and help improve our air quality,” said Robin Erickson, executive director of Utah Clean Cities. “We're teaching people to make sustainable choices for all the right reasons.”

UPB’s five charging stations and four PHEV’s that are plugging in, are just one facet of the company’s sustainable culture exemplified by their new paperboard packaging facility, which is pending LEED Gold Certification–the first of its kind in the U.S.

“Our progressive actions show production and sustainability work together in business,” said Steve Keyser. “UPB hopes to serve as a model for corporate responsibility for other Utah businesses.”