What happened - by Andrea Christie
Electric car rental slots available
The state Division of Energy Resources is once again putting out the call for
drivers for its fleet of electric cars.
Have you seen this futuristic, compact car zooming silently past your noisy,
old-fashioned, gasoline-powered car? Or, maybe you have parked next to one of
Honda's models in a commuter lot and couldn't help but wonder why it was
plugged in.
Did you notice the E.V. sticker on the rear and wonder what's an E.V.?
If you have, then you are not alone. Electric vehicles are becoming more
noticed and more popular, according to Steven Skiffington, program manager for
the electric vehicle demonstration program put forth by the Massachusetts
Division of Energy Resources.
E.V.'s are here and apparently here to stay. Skiffington reports that within
the last eight years of the program, applicants have risen to 100 per year.
This is a large number, considering that in the beginning participation was
lacking. Now, updated, faster models, along with better advertising via the
Internet, brochures and demonstrations, have ensured popularity.
"There is a keen interest," says Skiffington.
The division only has 11 cars to lease out to participants and each car is
highly sought after.
Skiffington says the division approves the submitted applications, then
randomly chooses participants' names from a common pool.
"The demonstration originally began on the heels of the Clean Air Act in 1992",
says Skiffington. It was a time of "stringent air quality guides" and emissions
testing.
The cars help the environment by giving off minimal emissions. Since the cars
don't have an exhaust, fuel or oil system, the car itself is emission free,
says Skiffington. The recharging emissions are almost impossible to trace.
The 20 inaugural cars were labeled Phase One. Chevrolet's Geo Metros were the
creators.
The division leased the E.V.s to commuters who used a local Park and Ride, had
a short commute - under 15 miles - or car-pooled.
Phase One cars were able to drive 28 to 40 miles before running out of energy.
To recharge, the owner plugged the car into a 110-volt outlet. Recharging
usually took over 20 hours.
But in 1997, 11 new cars were acquired for Phase Two. These cars were more
powerful and faster, says Skiffington.
"Everyone who had a Phase One car wanted a Phase Two," he says.
Phase Two cars use a nickel metal hydride battery, which supplies more power,
tripling the mileage range. Skiffington says limited mileage on the Phase Ones
was the most common complaint.
Phase Twos travel over 100 miles before running out of energy. They charge at a
220-volt outlet. This shortens recharging time to five hours.
In emergencies, Phase Twos can use a 110-volt outlet to recharge, although it
lengthens the recharging time to 20 hours, says Skiffington.
The division bought the new E.V. cars from Honda and Solectria companies,
instead of Chevrolet.
With the ability to travel longer distances, the division began leasing to
commuters who had more than a 25-mile, one-way commute.
"The car works very well for regular commuters and for doing local errands,"
said Kristina Curtis who leases a Solectria and has been part of the
demonstration since 1995. Curtis travels from her home in Acton to the Alewife
MBTA commuter lot everyday.
Curtis said she sees little differences between Phase One and Phase Two cars.
She says she is very happy with her E.V.
"Not only do I like the fact that it works well," she says. "I like that I'm
not adding to the pollution in the air."
Benefits include more than the car's earth-friendly personality.
"There's almost no noise," said Skiffington, "Only the tires rolling on the
pavement."
The Solectria E.V. model has four doors. The Honda E.V. model looks like
two-thirds of a Honda Minivan. It has only two doors. The models are " pretty
popular," Skiffington says.
Despite the size, Skiffington adds, "Most people are amazed they are quiet and
powerful."
Skiffington says the cars have the luxuries other cars have, like compact disc
players and air conditioning.
And there are other benefits.
The division also provides a wall box to the owner's home for recharging.
The MBTA commuter lots at Alewife and Braintree have recharging stations
available. The energy is created by solar panels.
The energy division won't stop there. Skiffington doesn't expect the program to
end any time soon.
"Additional technology will come through along the way," says Skiffington.
Note: The application deadline for participation in the EV program passed
several months after this article was published.
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