Photo from today's event. I hope to post more from other participants.
I counted two Volts (including ours), tow or three new plug-in Prius's, three Leafs, a Think, a new RAV 4, an old RAV 4, a Kewet, a Sparrow, several Yike Bikes, several electric motorcycles, at least four electric conversions, and a Tesla roadster. I probably missed some cars since I was busy talking to people and offering test rides/drives.
Some thoughts from various conversations:
- Most people don't understand that the Volt is an Extended Range Electric Vehicle that always runs on the electric motor--powered by the batteries for the first 35-40 miles, and then by the generator
- The challenge for most people is up-front financing. I need to learn more about the way that lease options work since that is the way most people are buying these cars.
- Most people do not know about PG&E's E9 electric rates for charging EVs (e.g. see my previous post dated May 22, 2012) PG&E should be required to promote these rates.
- The tax subsidies for purchase of EVs and for installing charging equipment are very important at this early stage of EV adoption.
All in all I was very happy to see more EV models out this year than I saw last year at Krissy Field in San Francisco. I enjoyed the day, and hope National Plug In Day continues to build in the future.
