The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved Tampa Electric Company’s (TECO) new energy education program, giving high school students a unique hands-on opportunity to use Electric Vehicles (EVs) while learning how to drive.
TECO will partner with the driver’s education programs in five area high schools to teach high school students about energy efficiency and the operation, maintenance, and ownership considerations of EVs. Beginning in the 2017 fall semester, TECO will start the program in one school and expand it to a maximum of five schools through 2020.
“EVs will continue to be a driver in innovation,” said PSC Chairman Julie Brown. “Introducing EV use through driver’s education programs in schools is a great way to teach future ratepayers the importance of EV ownership while learning the basic rules of the road.”
According to TECO’s petition, students will have the opportunity to learn:
- Proper driving skills needed to maximize energy efficient driving with EVs,
- Types, characteristics, and operations of different EV charging technologies,
- How electric rates are set and when EV charging is the least expensive,
- Future considerations of EV ownership.
Part of TECO’s curriculum will include surveys of both teachers and students to make program improvements as needed. The utility expects 350 program participants the first year, with total student driver participation expected to reach 5,600 over the program’s three years.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
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