Independence, MO
At 94 mpg, Tom Lesnak is optimistic.
As Chevrolet rolls out its electric hybrid car, Lesnak and few others locally are giving them a spin for a couple of weeks.
Lesnak has driven a hybrid Ford Focus for three years – “Best car I’ve ever owned,” he said – but said this could top it.
Cable-Dahmer Chevrolet is letting Lesnak, president of Independence Economic Development, have an extended test drive, and he picked up a black Volt on Friday.
“He’d rather give his money to me,” joked Leon Daggett, director of Independence Power and Light. Daggett also is one of the test drivers.
Lesnak said the math is fairly straightforward: $3.25 a day for a gallon of gas for his daily commute or about $1.25 to plug in the vehicle overnight. His Focus has gotten 37 mpg, but the Volt is rated far higher. In fact, with a range of 35 miles per charge, that’s enough for many people do to their daily driving and not have to use much gas at all.
Cable-Dahmer also points out that there are incentives such as a $7,500 tax credit for those who buy such models.
Paul Mahlberg, IPL’s deputy director, said conversations are going on about where to put charging stations in addition to those people would have at their homes. They might look like a parking meter that lets you swipe a card and charge. Maybe a mall would offer free charging for its customers as they shop.
“It’s all developing right now throughout the United States, as to how to make this things work,” he said.