On August 13, 2012 eight electric vehicle owners from Vermont came together at Healthy Living Market and Café in South Burlington for a luncheon held by the Vermont Clean Cities Coalition (VTCCC). On hand were the owners of four Chevy Volts, two Teslas, one converted motorcycle, and one converted sedan. Also in attendance at the luncheon was Karin McNeill from the state’s Public Service Department, Don Lorraine from Green Mountain Power, and three VTCCC staff members.

The vehicles were all parked in front of the EV charging station unveiled by Healthy Living and Green Mountain Power in October, 2011. The event showcased the fact that plug-in electric vehicles are on the road in Vermont and that the need for public charging stations is increasing. Nationwide, sales of PEVs in their first year of availability have outsold sales of hybrid vehicles during their first year of availability.

During the luncheon participants raised many insightful and important questions regarding vehicle charging regulations and infrastructure. They discussed ways of addressing range anxiety, including the affordable option of renting vehicles for longer trips. The group’s passion for their plug-in vehicles was evident throughout the animated and insightful conversation.    

This luncheon was a part of the VTCCC electric vehicle outreach efforts funded by an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) from the Department of Energy through the Vermont Department of Public Service. The goal of these efforts is to disseminate information, create dialogue, and build capacity among targeted groups of stakeholders who are vital for the mass deployment of plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and electric vehicles (EVs) in Vermont.

These owners are a vital stakeholder group to the state’s efforts to proliferate electric vehicles in Vermont. They are an extremely passionate and informative group of consumers.  Having experienced electric vehicle ownership first hand, they are extremely capable of dismantling any misinformation or perceptions of electric vehicles.