Local group backs use of electric cars

Stan Hanel, Las Vegas

Monday, Feb. 4, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Thanks to Brian Greenspun for his wonderful Jan. 27 column applauding the efforts of Shai Agassi to promote the use of electric cars and recharging networks in Israel. Clark County can also become a model for the rest of the nation by promoting electric vehicle technologies in conjunction with its pioneering efforts to develop electricity from solar, wind and water resources.

The nonprofit Electric Automobile Association has been promoting the development and use of electric-powered vehicles since 1967. The local chapter is the Las Vegas Electric Vehicle Association.

The Las Vegas chapter holds monthly meetings, and members display their own electric car conversions and can answer questions about electric car technology before and after each meeting.

In spring 2009 the Las Vegas chapter will be organizing the first Las Vegas Electric 500 Endurance Race for battery-powered electric road cars to test competing battery chemistry technologies and electric motor propulsion systems over a 500-kilometer road track.

Our group also hopes to work with the Regional Transportation Commission to someday set up battery recharging stations throughout Clark County that will accommodate future electric vehicles from automakers, including the Chevrolet Volt announced for production by General Motors in 2010 or 2011.

Our members have already implemented an informal network of recharging stations throughout the county based at their home and nearby work locations.

The writer is a member of the board of directors of the Las Vegas Electric Vehicle Association.