ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, January 6, 1996              TAG: 9601100011
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: A-4  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: INDUSTRY, CALIF.
SOURCE: ASSOCVIATED PRESS 

FILL 'ER UP - WITH JUICE

The nation's first electric-car charging station was unveiled this week, an indication that such vehicles could soon be part of everyday life.

The station was put together by Southern California Edison, which is constructing the nation's first ``alternative fuels corridor'' between Los Angeles and the San Bernardino area.

The utility plans to have 18 charging stations operating at retail outlets and train stations by August, said spokeswoman Melanie Savage.

``We have every reason to expect that electric vehicles are here to stay and that the market is going to grow,'' she said.

The first station is located in a Wal-Mart store's parking lot in Industry, a Los Angeles suburb. The retailer donated free electricity for the startup.

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