For a long time we waited for this time to introduce the first family-owned, A 123, plug-in Prius to the public. There are now in the country about 200 (or more!) plug-in Priuses (Prii?). These are early-adopter technology cars and will become infinitely better with volume-in-production and with competition. But our family wants to get people to see that electric cars are fun, doable now, and practical. Our car was photographed beside a 1907 all-electric car owned by Devoe Moore, owner of The Antique Car Museum in Tallahassee. Mr Moore gave the ok to have our car plugged into his 50 Kw solar system on the roof of the museum. So The Spirit of EVI had solar power for its first charge! We served refreshments and people asked questions for hours. The part that felt the most wonderful was that after many of them asked all of their questions they often said quietly, "We are so glad that your family is doing this". I interpreted that to mean that the hopelessness that many people have been living with in regard to the erosion of their income (and lives) by high gas prices showed some sense of the "light at the end of the tunnel". Their relief that some one was actually doing something was palpable. Each time that one of you has done a presentation, talked to the camera, talked to a person, one-on-one, you have given hope to those who cannot yet be comfortable with a EV technology that they have little understanding of. Their questions were good, some based on careful study and some on general media hype. But most came to really learn, and, perhaps, to see some hope for their world and their children's world. Some may have come for the snacks. I will hopefully soon get some footage from the tv station to share with you. I will try to attach a photo of the car with its cool wrap (note the FLEAA weblog address on the back of the car) I might use the artist's simulation picture which shows the back of the car very clearly. I am amazed at the interest in EVs that exists in N. FL. Showings of this car have led me to give our FLEAA website address to many people. We will have a great subchapter going up here. Our family has planned for a long time to leave for a 2 month camping trip across the US in early Sept. We will be leaving Sept. 8 and will be towing our popup with an old Mercury Marquis. We will stay in touch with all our EVbuddies in towns which have restaurants with free wireless. When we return we will begin building the Panhandle FLEAA. Again, thanks to all the members that made our family's first EVgrin possible. In years to come our family will add more electric vehicles to our developing EVtribe. Our daughter will be going to college soon, and will take with her the knowledge of how to plug in her car, and the expectation that her school will provide that service to its students. Again, thanks to each of you who shared your knowledge, contacts, example and hope with me. The EVI will be coming through the state of FLorida in Jan. & Feb. of 2009. My husband has 30 years of working with the legislature. Those pre-session months are the prime time to connect with our representatives to promote rebates for those people who buy (or build) battery packs to convert cars to plug-ins. We will add that goal to our EVI list of goals. So this delay of the trip may prove to be very fortuitous!
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