AVEF Tech-Talk on Electric Vehicles July 19 – by Carly Winchell
AVEF Tech-Talk #3: Is an Electric Vehicle for you?
Attendees at the July 8 Mountain Mania Car Show in Buena Vista likely saw some Electric Vehicles (EV) on display amongst the different automobiles that lined East Main Street. For those intrigued by the thought of purchasing an electric vehicle but wish to learn more information about them, the Arkansas Valley Coalition for a Sustainable Energy Future (AVEF) is sponsoring its third “tech-talk” and has invited local EV advocates Ken Regelson and Sandy Long to share their knowledge and experiences with participants.
The free Zoom talk will occur at 4:30 pm Wednesday, July 19. Registration is required for this virtual event. Those interested in attending can send an email, including any questions they may have, to edu@ArkValleyEnergyFuture.org. A link to the talk will be provided via email a day or two before the talk.
Some questions about EVs that will be covered include: “Will it have the range to get you to Denver and back? What about charging in your garage or at a public station? Can you get maintenance done up here in the valley? What about the initial costs? Are there state or federal incentives to make your purchase easier? Are you really saving money and making the planet more sustainable?”
Regelson is set to speak about the technology and realities of EV ownership. He has driven EVs for eight years, covering 60,000 miles. He is known to speak on energy in clear and engaging ways to audiences with all experience levels, from energy enthusiasts to those who are still learning. He has a master’s degree in electrical engineering, along with 21 years of experience in modeling, analysis, and practice of a high renewables grid.
Long will speak on federal and state incentives to buy an EV. She used to drive a Toyota Prius and is looking forward to EV ownership. She is on the Board of Directors for AVEF and is the leader of the Chaffee County Citizens’ Climate Lobby Chapter. She has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and an MBA. Although recently retired, she spent most of her 35-year career as a product manager in the telecom and power industries.
Those participating can customize the content of the talk by emailing specific questions in advance to edu@ArkValleyEnergyFuture.org. There will also be time reserved for live questions from participants at the end of the talk.
About AVEF
According to their website, Ark Valley Coalition for a Sustainable Energy Future “advocates for powering our region with clean, renewable energy from the sun, wind, water and earth to achieve an economically and environmentally sustainable energy future.” It is encouraging Sangre de Cristo Electric Association “to pivot towards local energy generation and storage to become more energy independent and resilient. We believe this energy transition will lower costs for members, diversify job growth, boost our local economies and protect our environment for future generations.”
(Featured Image: Vehicles lining the streets at the annual Mountain Mania Car Show in Buena Vista. Photo by Carly Winchell)