A city program in Cincinnati that lets owners of electric cars park for free has just received its 100th member. City spokesman Rocky Merz says despite falling gas prices, the program has "picked up steam."
鈥淚n fact, this past year we saw a 48 percent increase in the number of cars participating in the program, which really demonstrates there鈥檚 been a lot of interest in electric cars,鈥� he says.
Even with low gas prices, Merz says it鈥檚 still cheaper to power a car with electricity than with gasoline. As of Tuesday morning, according to AAA, the average price of a gallon of regular was $1.79 in Cincinnati. A year ago it was $2.40.
Merz says was started in 2008 to encourage more people to buy electric cars.
鈥淭he purpose really is to encourage electric vehicles, which are cleaner in terms of emissions. They help the air quality. They reduce smog. And anytime you鈥檝e got a new technology there鈥檚 always a higher cost at first.鈥�
Merz says the program was created to offset that cost.
The free parking offer extends to the city-owned Garfield Garage on West Ninth, and at parking meters. However, time limits still apply.
The program doesn't cover hybrid vehicles.
