Electric cars can get free charge in downtown Tampa | News

Tampa Florida -- If you are driving an electric car in downtown Tampa you can charge it for free while you do business downtown.

There are two free charging stations located at the County Center Public Parking Garage at 319 N. Pierce St., however, you will have to pay the hourly parking fee.

The downtown charging station is one of five locations in the city where electric cars can be charged for free.

The others are located at:

• Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico
• The Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County, 3629 Queen Palm Drive in Tampa
• Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave. in Tampa
• Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave. in Tampa
• Plant City Courthouse, 301 North Michigan Ave. in Plant City

In addition, the Hillsborough Environmental Commission has purchased a new electric vehicle, a Chevy Volt. The EPC also uses a Honda Civic fueled on Compressed Natural Gas as a part of their alternative fuel vehicles program.

In total, the EPC and the departments under the BOCC, now operate 17 earlier-model hybrid vehicles for everyday use.