City Celebrates National Plug-In Day

National Plug-In Day, a nation wide event, came to Concord on Oct. 15. There was a fleet of different types of electric vehicles to inform the public on the environmental and economical benefits of the Plug-In car movement spreading across America.
 
New Hampshire’s first National Plug-In Day was the largest gathering of electric cars ever seen in the state to date. This eye opening event touched base on the environmental and economical benefits of electric vehicles (EV). 

Rob Werner, the chairman of the Concord Climate Change, Energy and Environment Committee and Ward Five City Councilor spoke; as well as Randy Bryan owner of ConVerdant Vehicles, a Concord company that converts cars and trucks with electric and hybrid systems; and Nik Coats a Regional Planner from the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission.
 
The event took place during the in front of the in Concord. On display were various EV models including the Chevy Volt, the Nissan Leaf, Plug In Toyota Prius and a converted Prius. An electric motorcycle, two electric bicycles, and a lawnmower were also on display, as well as a Segway Personal Transporter. Those who spent their morning at the farmers market got a great opportunity to witness all the vehicles. ConVerdant Vehicles and NH Automobile Dealers Association teamed up with National Plug In Day national organizers Plug In America, the NH Sierra Club and the Electric Auto Association to put on today’s event.  Additional local sponsors were Clipper Creek, Duprey Companies, National Grid, PSNH, and UNITIL.
 
Dan Bennett, Environmental Specialist for the NH Automobile Dealers Association had this to say about Saturdays event: “NHADA was excited to partner with the Sierra Club and others on this event that highlights the reality and availability of electric vehicles from a variety of manufacturers. It was great to have the vehicles at the State House in Concord and let the community kick the tires on these new electric vehicles.”
 
Nikki Casey, a New Hampshire Sierra Club volunteer from Derry, said, “It’s really amazing to get a look at what the future holds for transportation. This kind of technology and vision will hold a huge amount of value for the next generation. Quiet and clean as opposed to loud and dirty is my kind of car.”
 
The celebration continued on Oct. 16, with an open forum at the . This meeting discussed further opportunities to bring more electric cars into the state and addressed the Plug-In challenges in New Hampshire.