Dan's Papers - April 11, 2008 - From Zero To 25, Electric Cars Zoom Into EH

Since East Hampton Village is one of the oldest on Long Island, and is also rated among the top most beautiful villages in America, it is no wonder that the Village Board is looking into ways to go "green" in maintaining its character and integrity.

And with the soaring costs of fuel and energy, they are also looking to save the taxpayers money.

"We are looking at possibly incorporating solar energy into three of our buildings -the Village Hall, the Emergency Services Department and the Public Works Building," said East Hampton Village Administrator Larry Cantwell. "Our Emergency Services building is 60,000-square-feet, it operates 24 hours a day with police and fire departments there, and it costs us around $80,000 a year just on electricity."

He said the Village has been working with Green Logic, a company based in Bridgehampton, to get some more affordable ideas. Cantwell said the Village also has a fleet of 55 vehicles that cost about $120,000 a year in gasoline.

"We're trying to become more fuel-efficient and more user friendly, so when we buy and replace vehicles, we are looking into more cost-efficient and greener ways to go," he said.

With gas prices above $4 per gallon in places such as Montauk, and threatening to go even higher this summer, Cantwell, Mayor Paul Rickenbach and the entire Village Board last week took a look at an electric car that uses no gas and has zero emissions.

As they waited outside their Public Works Building on Accabonac Road last Wednesday, a small, white car pulled in, with the words "All Electric Zero Emissions" printed on the side. This four-passenger car has two front bucket seats and a seat in the back that flips up or folds down. It has a roof rack option, A/C option, and the back door opens up.

This car was brought out by Motorworks Clean Vehicles, Inc. of Amityville, a company that sells them around Long Island. Gary Birke, who owns the company, and Hugh McIvor, Marketing Director, explained to the board members that this car is considered a "utility wagon," because it only goes 25 mph, and is allowed only on street-legal NYS roads designated 35 mph or less.

"This electric car is good for local driving around the village and to the beaches," explained Birke. "We are also selling them to college campuses, including Queens College, Farmingdale University and possibly Stony Brook Southampton University, and they are also great for driving around places like hospitals and golf clubs." But unlike golf carts, the "MILES Automotive 2XS Advanced Design," as this car is called, is made with heavy steel construction, and it works on 100% electricity from plugging into a 110-volt standard outlet. This "utility wagon" sells for $19,145, which is the manufacturer's suggested retail price, including freight.

Village Board members all took turns driving the car around the huge parking lot.

"It was a quiet ride, and I love the efficiency of this car," said Village Board member David Brown. "It has its place to run people around, and I think it would fit into our fleet quite well."

Village Board member Barbara Borsack said, "I love it - I think it's a great car and I love the fact that it has no emissions, since we have enough fumes here during the summer months during highway gridlock."

Borsack added, "I've been banging the drum for our Village to go greener for a long time, and I'm glad to see we are looking into cleaner and cheaper options."

"With the price of gas today, everyone's concerned about saving money, so I think this is an excellent start," added Brown. "It's also safe, and it's good in inclement weather to drive our CEOs around."

Mayor Rickenbach took a ride in the car and said he would discuss the need for such a vehicle at future meetings with the Village. Birke explained that this is about the same price as an average car, but it has only 25% of the operating costs.

Robert Jahoda, Traffic Control Supervisor of East Hampton, was walking by and came over to take a look at the electric car. After going for a test drive he said, "It drives really smooth and perhaps this vehicle could be used to help with traffic control in the Village."

Later, Cantwell said the board would discuss whether to add this new electric car to their fleet. "This car has limited use, even for Village purposes, but I think the technology is great and the cost savings is economical," he said.

Birke said he also plans in the coming weeks to bring out an electric pickup truck that also goes the same speed and costs the same price. It seats two, and is good for light duty maintenance, hauling and landscaping. His company is also coming out later in the year with an electric car for consumers that will go up to 80 mph, and will travel up to 120 miles on a single charge.