How a Spartanburg-based company racked up 1M EV miles

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One Upstate company is about a million miles ahead of almost everyone else in the switch to electric vehicles.

Elite Home Care, Day Centers and Transportation, a Spartanburg-based company with 10 locations across the state, operates a fleet of electric vehicles on the cusp of traveling 1 million miles while providing health-related transportation services.

The company will roll up a ceremonial millionth mile today during a 3 p.m. ceremony at their Greer Day Center.

Elite has spent the last year converting its entire 65-vehicle fleet to EV, rolling the odometers that entire time. The fleet includes Ford Transits and Volkswagen's ID4s. The first electric vehicle was purchased in October 2021, according to a news release. The vehicles are primarily utilized for transporting elderly and disabled clients to the day centers as well as to and from medical appointments.

“The change from gas to electric means our clients get to ride in brand new, state-of-the-art vehicles for the same cost to the company as old gas vehicles,” co-owner Andrew Martin said in the news release. “It's a sustainable model that gives our clients the best ride possible, and continued excellence for Elite.”

The miles were logged on roads and highways across South Carolina by the fleet that provides care for those who are homebound, transportation to Elite Adult Day Care centers, as well as transportation to medical appointments outside of their 10 facilities. Elite’s locations stretch from Liberty in Pickens County to Georgetown, with a service area that goes beyond those counties with Elite facilities.

"Our aim is to deliver the highest level of care while being conscientious of keeping costs contained," co-owner Chris Russo said in the release. "We have found tremendous success with Ford's E Transit line, upfitted with seating and wheelchair lifts to provide transportation solutions for the varied needs of our clients."

Elite plans to open at least three more adult day care locations this year and to continue to expand their EV transportation program, the release said.