TALLAHASSEE, Fl. (WTXL) -- Florida lawmakers showed off electric cars at the Capitol today.
Senator Jeff Brandes drove a Tesla model S around the Capitol Complex and in the courtyard, 25 plug-in electric vehicles were on display, along with an electric City of Tallahassee bus.
Brandes, a Republican from St. Petersburg, says he sees electric cars as part of the future of vehicles in the state and that he wants to see the industry drive here in Florida. Part of that effort would include a statewide network of plug-in electric charging stations, as well as charging station availability at multi-family housing developments and increased adoption of these vehicles at the state and municipal level. Finally, they're asking for a sales tax exemption on the vehicles for florida families.
"The price points of these [cars] is coming down", Brandes said." And I think that's the exciting thing. We're seeing them start out at maybe $50,000 or $60,000 but I think over time, the next few years, that price will continue to come down. That's very encouraging."
According to industry leaders, electric vehicle use could improve air quality, increase energy security and create more than 9,000 jobs and lead to $1.6 billion in economy gains in the state.
