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Tallahassee's Ride Electric Expo showcases all that's new in EV technology

A small sample of the many vehicles on display - some of which were available for test drives - during the Ride Electric Expo.
Tom Flanigan
A small sample of the many vehicles on display - some of which were available for test drives - during the Ride Electric Expo.

Sustainable Tallahassee's largest one-day showcase of all-electric vehicles took place on Saturday, Oct. 6. The "Ride Electric" event stressed the affordability of non-fossil fuel driving options.

A long-standing objection to electric vehicles has been their higher purchase price. But Kraft Nissan's Seth Robertson, one of the Ride Electric exhibitors, said the lower operating expense for EVs over the long haul greatly offsets that higher upfront cost.

"If you're spending $20-$30,000 on a nice vehicle, versus going EV and spending an extra $15,000, you drive that for 8 or 10 years with minimal maintenance, you're obviously saving money rather than costing more."

EV advocates also note there are far more recharging stations than ever before.

Dozens of electric powered vehicles of all shapes and sizes were lined up in the lower parking lot of St. Paul's Methodist Church near Lake Ella Saturday morning. Sustainable Tallahassee President Leighanne Boone said this year's "Ride Electric" expo was the largest event of its kind ever.

"Yeah, and it's even more than what we've had! Like you said, we had five models or so and now we have over 30, 40 electric models, so a lot more today."

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Tom Flanigan has been with WFSU News since 2006, focusing on covering local personalities, issues, and organizations. He began his broadcast career more than 30 years before that and covered news for several radio stations in Florida, Texas, and his home state of Maryland.

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