https://www.statesman.com/news/20190914/battery-powered-cars-take-spotlight-at-austin-electric-vehicle-show Battery-powered cars take the spotlight at Austin electric vehicle show Sep 14, 2019 Mary Huber
[images https://www.statesman.com/storyimage/TX/20190914/NEWS/190919189/AR/0/AR-190919189.jpg ] Kevin Lyons named his silver metallic Tesla “Midnight Rider” after the 1970 Allman Brothers Band song. The sleek, battery-powered S P100D is lined with a white leather interior and red trim and goes from zero to 60 mph in 2.4 seconds. But Lyons said the bonus is that it comfortably fits his family and saves him money on his hourlong commute. Lyons said he did extensive research to find the right vehicle to replace his old Honda Accord before deciding to go electric. “I figured why not do something good for the world, save gas and look good doing it,” he said, the door to his Tesla perched open as people visiting Saturday’s Electric Vehicle Car Show and Expo in North Austin peered inside. Lyons’ car was one of more than 30 on display at the show, including Nissan Leafs, Chevy Volts and Bolts, and even custom converted electric vehicles, among them a battery-powered surf blue 1987 Mini Cooper made by Moment Motor Co. “It’s a great car to drive,” said its owner, Stephanie Behrens. Saturday’s event, which was hosted by Austin Energy at Smart Charge America, was held in conjunction with similar electric car shows across the country for National Drive Electric Week. In addition to the electric cars were scooters, e-bikes, barbecue, live music and panel discussions. Austin Energy also was presented with this year’s Plug In America utility award, for the work it has done to increase electric vehicle use across the metro area. Austin Energy offers rebates to drivers to install certain charging equipment in their homes and also to apartment owners, retailers and employers who want to put charging stations in their parking lots. Currently, more than 800 of the latter have done so. The utility also offers similar rebates for pedicab drivers who choose to go electric and is teaming up with Capital Metro to ensure an all-electric bus fleet in the years to come. “We see this as an evolution for transforming mobility throughout our community,” Austin Energy General Manager Jacqueline Sargent said during opening remarks Saturday. “We are making it accessible. We are making it equitable, and we are making it affordable for everyone, even low- to moderate income drivers.” The cheapest electric vehicle on the market is the Smart EQ Fortwo, which starts at $26,740. Most others begin at between $30,000 and $40,000, according to U.S. News & World Report. Soon, the city will host 34 DC fast charging stations, which can power up an electric vehicle in 20 minutes. Currently, the city has only one, on Electric Drive near the Seaholm Power Plant in downtown Austin. However, it recently installed the infrastructure for a second at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. It soon will add 32 more, mostly along Interstate 35 through Austin but also at locations on South Lamar and East Ben White boulevards. The stations are being paid for by a $1.5 million investment from the city and $1.6 million in grants from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The City Council also recently agreed to change city code to allow third-party vendors to install DC fast charging equipment on their lots. BMW has several at its dealership on I-35 in South Austin, said Karl Popham, manager of emerging technology at Austin Energy. The efforts are part of the city’s goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Popham said electric vehicles are a huge part of that equation. Tom “Smitty” Smith, executive director for the Texas Electric Transportation Resources Alliance, said changing state policies to accommodate electric vehicle drivers will be an enormous component, including installing enough charging stations statewide — in rural areas as well as cities — to support them. It also means ensuring the electric grid can support them, he said, and that Texas can maintain its roads and bridges if electric vehicle ownership continues to increase, since currently gasoline taxes pay for those improvements. “If we can figure out the policy,” Smith said, “this is going to go crazy.” [© statesman.com] + http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/EVLN-Photon-exposed-li-ion-battery-electrodes-affect-recharging-energy-storage-tp4695108.html For EVLN EV-newswire posts use: http://evdl.org/archive/ {brucedp.neocities.org} -- Sent from: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/ _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub ARCHIVE: http://www.evdl.org/archive/index.html INFO: http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org Please discuss EV drag racing at NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
