A new electric vehicle dealership has opened in town just months after the Green Vehicles showroom closed at 33 N. Santa Cruz Ave. Daniel Reuter, though, has a different business plan.

For one, Reuter, the owner of Ethical Approach Auto Sales, does not have to pay the high rents charged to downtown merchants because he has entered into a partnership with Akeena Solar. “It’s in both of our interests to promote each other’s products,” Reuter said.

As a result, there is now a free battery charging station at Akeena’s headquarters at 16005 Los Gatos Blvd.

Costco and Fry’s Electronics also offer charging stations for customers to use when shopping. According to Reuter, the California vehicle code has a section that gives electric vehicle owners preferred parking if the spot has a charging setup. But he said, “Electric vehicle owners have been encountering some friction from hybrid owners who don’t understand the purpose of the preferential parking spot is to plug in.”

Reuter has sold four vehicles. The third sale went to Los Gatos Realtor Ian Macrae.

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