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Cracker Barrel & EV Charging Stations...

By
Home Inspector with Complete Home Inspections, Inc. TN Lic#050

Cracker Barrel & EV Charging Stations...
     Since I purchased my Chevy Volt a few months ago, I have realized a new freedom. Freedom from the pump. It has been 5 weeks now since I filled the auxiliary fuel tank on the car. At the time of this post, I have driven about 1,600 miles and have burned approximately 3 gallons of petrol. Most of this "fuel free" driving is due in part to ECOtality, Blink and partners like Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores.
     I salute Cracker Barrel as it continues to drive its support of electric vehicle (EV) travel. They are a major participant in The EV Project. The EV Project is an initiative designed to increase the adoption of electric vehicles by creating a solid charging infrastructure across the country. The EV Project is managed by ECOtality, a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies.
     To date, Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores has deployed the one of the largest portions of the EV infrastructure in Tennessee. Their goal is to install electric vehicle chargers at select locations in “The Tennessee Triangle,” the 425-mile stretch of interstate highway that connects Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. When completed, 24 Cracker Barrel locations will have charging stations. Most will be Level 2 and a select few will have the newer Level 3 "quick charge" stations. If desired, patrons could drive the entire 425 miles of the Tennessee Triangle by re-charging at Cracker Barrel locations along the way.

Tennessee Triangle
     While ownership of electric cars is small as compared to traditional vehicles, there is great curiosity about them. I often get asked about my EV while plugging in at a Cracker Barrel. I am more than happy to field questions and talk about the benefits of EV's. While eating, I have even seen curious on-lookers stop to snap pictures.
     I thank Cracker Barrel for taking an active role in exploring energy alternatives that are aimed at protecting the environment, as well as strengthening the economy. Because their environmental efforts are in concert with mine, I frequent this popular dining establishment. Not only can I  feast on the finest food that Uncle Hershel can muster up, I also get the opportunity to "top off" the battery to boot.

Chevy Volt charging at Brentwood, TN Cracker Barrel

Posted by

Complete Home Inspections, Brentwood TN 615.661.0297
 

Comments(47)

Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

Brilliant marketing by Cracker Barrel.  While you are charging your car, you have nothing else to do but eat and shop in their store.

Jul 29, 2012 04:07 AM
Mike McCann Nebraska Land Broker
Mike McCann - Broker, Mach1 Realty Farm & Commercial Land Broker-Auctioneer Serving Nebraska - Kearney, NE
Farm & Commercial Property For Sale 308-627-3700

Now TWO great reasons to eat at Cracker Barrel!!! Our closest is 150 miles away buit we still get there often!!

Jul 29, 2012 04:17 AM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Hi Michael,  Great ad for cracker barrel.  Have you done a comparison between cost and fuel savings ?

Jul 29, 2012 04:45 AM
Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI, SRES
Eagle Ridge Realty / Signature Homes & Estates - Gilroy, CA
REALTOR and Broker

Wow, glad to see this.  I cannot wait for the day to see more of these charging stations.  So far, I've only noticed them at the local Costco.

Jul 29, 2012 05:57 AM
Charlie Dresen
The Group, Inc - Steamboat Springs, CO
Steamboat Springs, CO e-Pro

This a great forward thinking post.  I had no idea that Cracker Barrel was such a big part of the EV movement.  Refreshing!

Jul 29, 2012 06:53 AM
Jerry Murphy, CRS, SRES
Long Realty West Valley - Anthem, AZ
Anthem, Phoenix, and Scottsdale AZ Real Estate

The Chevy Volt has answered my lifelong question about electric cars, "why can't they make an attractive looking electric car".  It's a nice, sporty looking car.  I'm actually considering buying one in the near future.  Glad to hear that charging station are becoming more prevalent.

Jul 29, 2012 07:27 AM
Rob Thomas
Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN
Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

Michael ....Great post as always ...My favorite place to eat lunch! It doesn't surprise me that they would be ahead of the curve!

Congrats on another great feature!

Have a great night!

Jul 29, 2012 08:46 AM
Carie Shapiro
North Shore Suburbs & Chicago Real Estate - Evanston, IL

This is so cool ... thanks for sharing the information!  And, kudos to Cracker Barrel for their commitment to supporting energy alternative methods for vehicles.

Jul 29, 2012 09:32 AM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Michael, i do think that this is amazing and incredible that you have these charging stops...not here...TN is the place to have the electric cars...btw, no finger twiddling today- actually busy at my open house.

Jul 29, 2012 09:46 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
Very cool thar Cracker Barrel has taken the plunge to provide free charging stations.
Jul 29, 2012 10:33 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Michael, a new car is in my future. I was thinking about the Prius but I may have to do some research on the Chevy Volt.

Jul 29, 2012 12:19 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Michael,

I do think it is awesome that Cracker Barrel has made a commitment to providing free charging stations! Congrats on a great feature..well deserved!

Jul 29, 2012 10:02 PM
Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

I'm happy to hear Cracker Barrel has teamed up to help travelers charge their cars and enjoy some good Southern cooking.

Jul 30, 2012 06:05 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Michael,

I'm so glad you posted this one. I've been wanting to check out the Chevy Volt because I know this is the wave of the future; yet my previous Town Council in Flower Mound turned down a $14M project that Krogers wanted to build to include fueling stations for those electric cars - at no expense to the people of Flower Mound! Yikes! Needless today, nobody re-elected the Mayor or the people opposed to the $14 million dollar project, FREE to Flower Mound. Now that we have a new Town Coucil and Mayor, Krogers came back and they were approved.

I can't wait for the project to begin! In the meantime, I'll keep my eye on those car prices.

I hope you post more about the savings of not having to pay for fuel and let me know how that car work out for you.

Jul 30, 2012 09:06 PM
Carl Winters
Canyon Lake, TX

Michael: I thought I left a comment but my mind must be slowing. I was just checking back to read any additional comments that came in. What I thought I said in my comment was I didn't know if I could get all my home inspection equipment loaded.

Jul 31, 2012 11:33 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

VERY interesting, Michael. You're riding the crest of the wave, one of the early adapters. Kudos to you--and to Cracker Barrel.

Jul 31, 2012 09:09 PM
Mike Frazier
Carousel Realty of Dyer County - Dyersburg, TN
Northwest Tennessee Realtor

Michael, I have been wondering about the cost to fully recharge the volt. So how far can you drive on a trip without stopping(elec and gas)?

Aug 07, 2012 07:07 AM
Mike Frazier
Carousel Realty of Dyer County - Dyersburg, TN
Northwest Tennessee Realtor

Michael, so are you limitd to 40 miles total without a recharge? Can you choose to just run on the gas when the battery is depleted?

Aug 08, 2012 12:49 AM
Larry Brewer - Benchmark Realty llc
Benchmark Realty LLc - Nashville, TN

Now that we get to keep our Green President, I suspect more stimulas money in the works for these type of projects. I understand that a lot of the money allocated hasn't even been spent yet, but some smart companies like Cracker Barrel has taken advantage of it.

Dec 08, 2012 10:50 PM
Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant
Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC
Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi Michael...love to have a Chevy Volt, however little incentives here in Canada to buy them. Although one company say the'll cover electrical costs for the cars first 2 years. Their base Price is over $42,000 and few recharging stations in Victoria BC and Vancouver island....so far.

Merry Christmas

 

Dec 16, 2012 01:50 PM