Promoting Electric Car Use and Ownership in the Adirondacks

I recently read a fascinating series of four articles on the Adirondack Almanac Online News Journal’s website by writer Pete Nelson on his experience of owning and driving a Chevrolet Volt in the Adirondacks.  In his pieces, Nelson describes in depth how his electric automobile has fared in both the warmer summer months, and the brutally cold winter months.  I am not going explain in detail his findings from various test-drives (though I encourage you to read his fantastic articles!  I have posted the links to all four articles below), though I will simplify his findings to say that he was mostly pleased with how the car performed through the park, and found it to certainly be a viable automobile option for people living in the Adirondacks.

           

In his article, Nelson quotes the Grants Manager at the Wild Center, which is a famous museum and outdoor center in the Adirondacks.  Grants Manager Kara Page explains that the Center has, “long wanted to offer an electric car charging station here in the middle of the Adirondack Park, where an estimated 9 million visitors come every year. Those driving electric cars have no access to a station within this vast, 6-million acre territory. We are ‘one charge away’ from major metro areas and for electric car owners to come to the interior of the Park they need our station”  (Nelson, Sep. 20, 2014). Page explains an important point about access to the park.  With the prospect of major engineering advancements to improve the range and reusability of the batteries, electric powered automobiles have the potential to become increasingly more popular within the next ten years.  However, as Page and Nelson explain, there is currently a lack of accessibility for those with electric cars to enjoy the Adirondack Park.  At the end of one piece he wrote, Nelson happily states that, “In September 2014 the Wild Center had the only charging station publicly announced and available in the park. Now, a mere four months later, I count eight around the region including Lake George, Lake Placid and Old Forge” (Nelson, Feb. 14, 2015).  This is certainly an improvement, though unfortunately, is not sufficient enough to make the park a completely “electric car friendly” destination.

For a park that prides itself on the principles of being “Forever Wild,” I agree that promoting electric cars could be greatly beneficial to the park.  Nelson wisely exclaims that, “[E]very reduction in emissions is both a statistical and symbolic benefit” (Nelson, Feb. 14, 2015).   Not only could promoting electric vehicles have positive environmental effects for the park, but also has the potential of being an economical decision for the consumer.  Elon Musk’s famed electric car company, Tesla Motors, published a list of benefits that electric car owners can enjoy based on their state of residence.  For the state of New York, owners receive a $7500 tax credit, and the ability to use the HOV lane in Long Island. (Tesla)

Electric Cars have great potential in the Adirondacks, and it is important to think about how this and other technological advancements can support being "Forever Wild."

Sources:

1) Editorial Staff. “First Electric Car Charging Station In Adirondack Interior.” The Adirondack Atlas. N.p., 16 July 2014. Web. 14 Feb. 2015. <http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2014/07/first-electric-car-charging-station-installed-in-adirondack-interior.html>.

2) Electric Vehicle Insentives. Tesla Motors, Inc, n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2015. <http://my.teslamotors.com/incentives/US/New%2520York>.

3) Nelson, Pete. "Commentary: Adirondack Electric Cars Future." Adirondack Almanack 20 Sept. 2014: n. pag. Web. 14 Feb. 2015. <http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2014/09/commentary-a-future-for-electric-cars-in-the-adirondacks.html>.

4) Nelson, Pete. "Commentary: Electric Cars in the Adirondacks." Adirondack Almanack 6 Sept. 2014: n. pag. Web. 14 Feb. 2015. <http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2014/09/commentary-electric-cars-in-the-adirondacks.html>.

5) Nelson, Pete. "Driving An Electric Car In Winter." Adirondack Almanack 14 Feb. 2015: n. pag. Web. 14 Feb. 2015. <http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2015/02/driving-an-electric-car-in-winter.html>.

6) Nelson, Pete. "Review: Driving an Electric Car in the Adirondacks." Adirondack Almanack 13 Sept. 2014: n. pag. Web. 14 Feb. 2015. <http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2014/09/review-driving-an-electric-car-in-the-adirondacks.html>.