|
|
SJRCC Press Release
April 2009
Batteries not included -
SJRCC hosts electric car tour
Members of St. Johns River Community College’s environmental science class were recently presented with one Florida family’s mission to educate the public on energy conservation.The Palatka campus was one of 16 stops for inventor Ron Fahs and his family’s Electric Vehicle Initiative tour to promote their new plug-in hybrid.
Class members got a first-hand look at the hybrid/electric car Fahs converted from a 2005 Toyota Prius. The retired facilities director said he was fed up with waiting for the government and automakers to solve the rising gas prices, so he and his family created the statewide tour to educate the public on the benefits and possibilities of literally “going green.”
“Traveling 100 miles per gallon is a possibility for cars right now,” Fahs said, explaining that the car was modified with a rechargeable battery pack, allowing the car to run solely on electric power for about 40 miles and boosting the car’s fuel mileage to more than 100 miles per gallon. Fahs said the cost to convert the car was approximately $10,000; however, Fahs said the cost is expected to decrease if the technology goes into mass production. Fahs also encouraged students to persuade the government to offer rebates.
Ron’s wife, Fran, said they have wanted to do something substantial to help the environment. “Empowering people to take control of their transportation costs while taking a big chunk out of global warming is our desired contribution,” she said.
During their visit, the Fahs family – including their teen-aged daughter, Joy - gave a presentation on the EVI and showed clips from the 2006 documentary “Who Killed the Electric Car?” Students later gathered around the car for a personal presentation while several students volunteered to ride in the car.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Members of SJRCC’s environmental science class gather to hear inventor Ron Fahs promote the Electric Vehicle Initiative tour and the new plug-in hybrid he personally converted from a Toyota Prius. Fahs said the rechargeable battery pack allows the car to run solely on electric power for about 40 miles, boosting the car’s fuel mileage to more than 100 miles per gallon.
Return to SJRCC home page.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Kessler
SJRCC Director of Public Relations and Publications
5001 St. Johns Avenue
Palatka, FL 32177
(386) 312-4020
|
|
