The Fayette Citizen-News Page
Wednesday, September 2, 1998
Tests good, so county is buying 3 electric cars

By DAVE HAMRICK
Staff Writer

In the face of continuing air quality problems for this part of Georgia, Fayette County's government is taking steps toward the future.

Using a $50,000 state grant, the county will buy three electric vehicles following a recent successful test of one vehicle.

"Georgia Power brought one out and we tested it for four months and it worked out real well," said assistant county manager Chris Cofty.

The power company in recent months has been pushing local governments to take the lead in using electric cars and trucks as one alternative to gasoline as technology improves.

During a demonstration to the Atlanta Regional Commission's transportation committee earlier this year, Michael Anderson, Georgia Power manager for electric transportation, said electric cars emit no pollutants at all, and the amount of pollution emitted from power plants in order to charge batteries for the vehicles is negligible.

Electric-powered cars can now get 100 miles or more on a charge, and soon will match the range of gasoline vehicles, Anderson said.

Governments are required to increase the percentage of alternative fuel vehicles in their fleets each year until they have no gasoline vehicles left.

The Georgia Power spokesman said the company is hoping the state and local governments also will use tax incentives to encourage private use of the cleaner cars.


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