Event to showcase electric cars

CORALVILLE - Slowly but surely, the electric car is catching on in Eastern Iowa.

One of the people behind that push is Marc Franke, with electric car enthusiasts club EVIowa.

Franke said the first step is raising awareness and dispelling myths about electric vehicles, which is exactly what the eight-member group has planned for Sunday.

From 1-3 p.m. at Coralville's West Parking Ramp, 921 Ring Road on the Iowa River Landing, those interested in learning more about electric cars can have all their questions answered by area residents who know firsthand.

'If they've ever thought about an electric car and want to ask real-world questions, this is the perfect time to do so,” Franke said.

Visitors will have the opportunity to take test rides in four popular electric cars - the electric/gasoline hybrid Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, BMW i3 and the luxury Tesla Model S.

Franke said with only about 400 electric cars in Iowa, getting the chance to talk to real owners and see the cars first hand is useful to potential buyers, offering insight not often available at the dealership.

Coralville Mayor John Lundell said the city's latest parking ramp, which is host to several electric car charging stations, made for the perfect location for the event.

'It's always good to promote the green aspects and how we can be less reliant on fossil fuels, plus it was an opportunity to showcase the green aspects of the Iowa River Landing,” Lundell said. 'I think it's an important event that provides hands on opportunities to get these types of questions answered.”

Franke, who has owned a Nissan Leaf for about one year, said a big question regards range.

With 84 miles to a charge, Franke said he can easily make multiple trips a day as long as he charges the car at home or at one of the growing number of local charging stations, which are popping up at area businesses such as Iowa City's ACT, NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha's GoDaddy offices.

'Generally, we would all like to promote the adoption of electric vehicles in Iowa,” Franke said. 'We're all pretty enthused about that.”