Learn About the Electric Vehicle Transformation March 31

Learn about recent developments in the electric vehicle revolution sweeping across California during an electric vehicle street fair on Saturday, March 31, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Avenue.

A workshop presentation on plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) will begin at 10:30 a.m. and feature a panel of local owners discussing their experiences with PEVs in everyday life.

The street fair and workshop are being presented by the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) in partnership with the City of Pasadena and Pasadena Water and Power. The event is free, and lunch will be provided for workshop registrants.

To register, go to www.energycenter.org/cvrp-events. During the workshop, Colin Santulli, a PEV expert with CCSE’s transportation programs, will outline the financial and environmental benefits of PEV ownership and the currently available clean vehicle incentives. Santulli is conducting a series of workshops in cities throughout the state, promoting PEVs and the statewide Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, a program of the California Air Resources Board.

“By making the switch to cleaner, more efficient plug-in electric vehicles, individuals can reduce their use of petroleum and help create cleaner air for all of us,” Santulli said. “This workshop will be a great opportunity for people to learn about the first-hand experiences of their neighbors who already own PEVs.”

The difference between other electric vehicles and PEVs is that they are at least partially powered by batteries onboard that charge up from the electrical grid rather than hybrids that have electrically assisted combustion engines. Some PEVs are all-electric and are solely fueled by the electrical grid.

Currently available PEVs include the Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Tesla Roadster and others. A Nissan LEAF, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, CODA and Chevy Volt will be available for workshop attendees to test drive after the presentations. Other PEVs may be on display.

At the meeting, Santulli will also speak about the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project that provides cash incentives up to $2,500 for purchasing new PEVs that qualify. The project is part of statewide efforts to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions funded by the Air Resources Board.

Representatives from the City of Pasadena and Pasadena Water and Power are scheduled to give presentations aimed at consumers considering making the switch to a PEV. The California Center for Sustainable Energy, a San Diego-based nonprofit, administers the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project. The center is conducting workshops throughout the state in order to promote the project and to educate consumers on electric vehicle technologies, new electric vehicle charging infrastructure and important consumer information regarding these vehicles.

For information about the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, visit www.energycenter.org/cvrp.