WKRN, Nashville, Tennessee News, Weather, and Sports |Mid-State's first electric car dealership opens in Franklin

Mid-State's first electric car dealership opens in Franklin

The first electric car dealership in Tennessee is now open for business in Franklin.

Josh Womack owns and operates VerdeGoh in Williamson County.

He told News 2, "They'll save money on gas because they don't need any, and the sticker shock won't cause you to break out in a sweat."

Electric cars don't release any emissions into the environment, and are street legal in Tennessee.

"We envision this vehicle being perfect for all of the people who live in all of the pocket neighborhoods," continued Womack. "Whether that is east Nashville, Sylvan Park, Green Hills, Hillsboro Village, Germantown and the Nashville urban core, the Gulch, places like that."

The cars are classified by the state as "neighborhood electric vehicles" and are only allowed a top speed of 35 miles per hour.

The vehicles recharge by plugging into a regular electrical outlet, and cost about 50 to 60 cents of electricity for each charge.

Each charge can power the vehicle for approximately 30 miles.

An electric car from VerdeGoh will cost between $6,000 and $20,000.

Womack's drive to see electric cars on Tennessee's streets is personal, he says.

"I have been an advocate for alternative fuel sources and energy for five or 6 years," he told News 2.

Womack has even worked with local leaders and hopes to get a few public parking places designated for re-charging.

He hopes that the parking spots would be located in shopping centers to give customers a chance to recharge batteries while they shop.

"We met with Mayor Dean about three weeks ago, and the city of Franklin is on board with the idea," Womack told News 2. "What we are asking for with the municipalities are some great parking spots."

Womack admits it has been tough starting a new business during the current economy, but he hopes to make a change in the environment.

"This certainly is a labor of love," he said. "We are not making too much money.  At this point it is going to be an educational process with the public, to get them accustomed to the idea of plugging up a vehicle verses filling up."

For more information, visit VerdeGoh.com.