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The growing move toward electric vehicles will require an infrastructure to support it, and plans are already underway in South Carolina to provide a network of charging stations for the new cars, according to nonprofit group Plug In Carolina.

The group's partnership with Eaton Corporation has seen 30 charging stations at which drivers can hook up their vehicles installed at strategic points throughout the state. Plug In Carolina executive director James Poch said the chargers signify the leading role taken by South Carolina in advancing the new technology.

"Something special is taking place. Our state is one of the first to invest and create an EV charger infrastructure across multiple cities. We are showing the nation that our citizens and businesses welcome these vehicles. Within the last year, South Carolina has had two EV manufacturers, Proterra and CT&T, locate their manufacturing operations in the state and we're ready for more," he said.

Plug In Carolina says the charging stations will be accessible to drivers of a number of vehicles, including popular models like the Chevrolet Volt and more exotic types, such as the high-end Tesla Roadster. The group plans to expand its partnership with Eaton to install 50 more charging stations by the end of January 2011.

The recent economic downturn prompted American motorists to seek cost savings in a number of car-related areas, including fuel consumption and auto insurance. While technological innovation like that instituted by South Carolina can help with the former concern by cutting gasoline out of the equation entirely, new insurance programs like pay-as-you-drive policies can provide a similar opportunity to save on car insurance coverage.