Earth Day Buzz: Electric Cars at Carroll Community College

hosted an Earth Day event Tuesday that included an electric car display.

Outside of the Great Hall two cars were on display for visitors to check out.

The Nissan Leaf is a completely electric car. It touts a transportation alternative that uses no gas, has no tailpipe, and puts out no emissions. The car, which recharges at home like a laptop or phone, has an estimated range of 100 miles. As a marketing brochure for the car says, "It's about range management". Nissan's website says the Leaf's starting price is around $35,000.

The Chevrolet Volt offers two sources of energy: battery and gas. According to the Chevrolet website, the battery allows you to drive gas–free for an EPA–estimated 35 miles. And there's also an onboard gas generator that produces electricity so drivers can go up to a total of 375 miles on a full tank of gas. The Volt's starting price is around $32,000.

Have you been car shopping lately? How attractive are the hybrid/electric cars to you? Tell us in comments.

More Planet Carroll Earth Day activities planned for this week:

Wednesday, April 18:

• Energy event with BGE at Carroll Community College from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., immediately followed by a screening of the film, Cool It.

Thursday, April 19:

• Carroll Hospital Center Earth Day Event, Main Lobby, Carroll Hospital Center, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. 
• Community Matters Film Series/Discussion No Impact Man, Room K 127, Carroll Community College, 7-8:30 p.m., sponsored by Sustainable Living
• MDArtists' Panel, McDaniel College (tentative)

Friday, April 20

• Concert at Carroll Community College, sponsored by Waste Not! Carroll and Sustainable Living Maryland, 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 21

• Keynote Address and Panel Discussion, Decker Auditorium, McDaniel College, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Sustainability displays outside Decker Auditorium, McDaniel College by the Venturing Crew.

Sunday, April 22 (Earth Day)

• Tree Planting with Boy Scout Troop #395, Freedom Park, Sykesville, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

The events are free and open to the public. To learn more or get involved, visit the website at http://planetcarroll.webs.com.