When gas mileage is not a concern
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
For years Ron LaPlant bought and sold classic and muscle cars through his Mid America Classics auto store, some of which were powered by behemoth gasoline engines that averaged as little as five or six miles to the gallon. But now he’s back in the car sales business — and miles to the gallon is not even a thought.
Electric Car Company opened its door in early summer and officially opened for business in mid-August. The small dealership located in Maple Valley shopping complex in Farmington, at the corner of Maple Street and Maple Valley Drive, is currently one of only a handful of operations in the nation which carries “only” all electric-powered vehicles.
“I was intrigued,” is the way LaPlant tells of his discovery of all electric cars. Following a visit a couple years ago to France and learning about the revolutionary new “smart car” at that time, LaPlant began doing some homework on the fuel efficient cars. What he found was an alternative which required no fossil or synthetic fuel at all, and at a fraction of the cost of the smart car.
SETTING UP SHOP
LaPlant built a nice business in Mid America Classics, located just north of Park Hills on U.S. 67. Then about five years ago he sold the shop to a young investor. “I thought I’d retire, but I can’t retire,” he says with a twinkle in his eye and a grin. For the next few years he worked alongside his son restoring classic cars for resale to collectors.
“I started researching and came up with three companies who offered electric cars,” he tells. “They were Miles, Wildfire and Zenn.” Within months the businessman had secured franchises for Miles and Wildfire cars, and reached an agreement to also deal in Zenn autos.
“I was the first franchise for Miles in the United States, and only the third now,” LaPlant said proudly, while sitting behind the desk in his office at Electric Car Co. in Farmington.
He explained how he likes to sell cars out of a storefront, versus having his inventory all lined up on an outdoor lot. It’s just the way he likes to run his business, and the same way he sold classic and hot rod cars and trucks for years in his earlier business. He chooses to keep a display of different models in the store, and has a decent-sized inventory offsite at a service center.
The phrase “models” can be misleading when dealing with the major manufacturers of electric cars. At this place in history the total electric car is still a burgeoning industry. Miles and other companies have opted to put their efforts into technological upgrades as new models come out from year to year. They’ve seemingly found a pretty sound and solid body style which boasts basic amenities and safety equipment, and have chosen to leave a good thing alone.
For now annual changes consists of improvements in battery power, horsepower and efficiency in function. The body style, or “model”, changes little from year to year. At least in America it’s a new way at looking at transportation, but a way of keeping costs low in both manufacturing and parts supply. It equates to not only savings in fuel costs and emissions pollution for willing consumers, but savings at the point of purchase as well.
To date, Miles offers a four-door model car and recently began building a small pickup truck. Wildfire offers a two-door model. Electric Car Company carries them all.
AT WHAT COSTS?
“I’m glad you asked that. That’s a very good question,” LaPlant exclaims, and then he jumps off into his latest tirade of just what makes his little cars unique.
He explains how AAA of America estimates that the average motorist in America drives his or her automobile 12,000 miles, or 1,000 miles a month. Consider for a moment this scenario purely as an example:
• The estimated cost for a gallon of medium grade gasoline in the Farmington area at the end of August is $3.40 a gallon;
• The average passenger car would get about 22 miles to the gallon;
• It would take 45.45 gallons to cover 1,000 miles;
• Fuel cost would be $154.53 for the month.
Now consider the same motorist drove an all electric car at the following estimated costs:
• Miles four-door sedan is rated for an average of 60 miles on a complete charge of the batteries;
• Charging the car from total drain to total charge takes about six hours, at an estimated cost based on Farmington electric rates (according to LaPlant’s research) of 18 cents per charge;
• The car would require 16.66 charges to travel 1,000 miles;
• Charging cost would be $3 for the month.
NOT FOR EVERY SITUATION
Now LaPlant is very realistic about an all electric car not being right for every motorist or driving condition. The little cars have a top speed of about 40 miles per hour, and nowhere near the acceleration speed required for highway driving. Their small size would not make for a necessarily comfortable ride down a rough back country road.
But for someone who does the majority of their driving within a few dozen miles from home, or who wants to save money while running errands around town or leisure driving, the all electric car might just fit the bill.
Both the two- and four-door models feature a sizable luggage area, with the four-door model also benefiting from a collapsible rear bench seat to make even more room for groceries, gear or sporting equipment. As for driver and passenger comfort, the author of this story is in no way slight in stature nor girth and found the four-door models to have more leg room and head clearance than his wife’s full-sized luxury car.
When it comes time to “refuel”, the electric cars require only a standard 110-volt three-pronged wall outlet. LaPlant says the batteries in the cars use Absorbent Glass Mat, or AGM, technology. Instead of having lead plates suspended in a pool of acid, the batteries use absorbent fiberglass mats and are built in such a way that they will not spill their contents if overturned. The batteries also do not develop a “memory” like other batteries in cellphones and appliances might, and can be charged and discharged rapidly and repeatedly without battery damage.
The electric cars feature an ample heater and defrost system. There is an AM/FM/CD radio standard in all models. Gauges consist of a speedometer and battery charge meter. Some makes offer child-safety door locks as an option.
A car weighs about 2,800 pounds, and is all steel construction with integrated steel safety bars built into the doors. The electric motor drives the front wheels directly. There is no transmission to shift. A simple push button switches the drive motor into reverse.
Driving requires only unhooking the power cord, depressing the foot brake pedal, releasing the emergency brake, and releasing the foot brake and applying the drive (not the “gas”) pedal. Turning is easy and brakes are vacuum-assisted hydraulics, just like most American gas-powered cars and trucks.
The one thing that takes a little getting used to is the fact that the only noise you hear is a slight hum of the electric motor once you turn on the key. To put it in perspective, the fan motor driving air through the passenger compartment heating and cooling vents creates more noise than the motor which drives the car.
Routine maintenance can consist of replacing brake pads, tires or checking wheel bearings and other moving parts found on the suspension of any passenger automobile. The cars utilize standard 13-inch tires found at any tire shop. Brake pads and other moving parts are specialized pieces available through the Electric Car Company, but are of a comparable price to other compact car models.
Obviously there is no oil to change or fuel or air filters to consider. LaPlant likens the maintenance required of the electric cars to that of an electric golf cart. “You can run one for years,” he adds.
All cars sold through Electric Car Company can be titled and licensed through the Missouri Department of Revenue. Some area banks and lending institutions have agreed to finance the cars with sales tax based on purchase price just like a traditional automobile. And there are insurance companies with local offices which will readily insure the small cars.
LaPlant sells his electric cars for prices ranging from just more than $10,000 up to about $17,000, depending on the model year. Upgrades from 2005 to the newest models have included more battery capacity and horsepower. The newer models reflect the price of the latest technology. Still, the businessman was recently able to purchase a shipment of 2005-2006 models, all new cars straight from the manufacturer, at a significant cost savings. He’s selling those cars for a fraction of the cost of the 2008 models.
The idea of electric cars in nothing new. In fact GM built a small run of total electric cars in about 1980. Their plight was revealed in the motion picture “Who Killed The Electric Car”, a documentary about the extreme efforts of a major petroleum company to squelch production of a fuel-free passenger car alternative. Copies of the video can still be found and make for interesting and entertaining watching.
This time though, LaPlant says, the consumer demand for a fuel- and emissions-efficient alternative to gasoline and diesel transportation will likely mean offerings such as electric cars are here to stay and cannot be ignored. Like any new product, it will take time to make it fit the needs of the masses. But for now the little electric cars already can meet the needs of some drivers all the time, and all drivers some of the time.
And LaPlant’s Electric Car Company has set up shop and is ready to fill those needs.
Electric Car Company opened its door in early summer and officially opened for business in mid-August. The small dealership located in Maple Valley shopping complex in Farmington, at the corner of Maple Street and Maple Valley Drive, is currently one of only a handful of operations in the nation which carries “only” all electric-powered vehicles.
“I was intrigued,” is the way LaPlant tells of his discovery of all electric cars. Following a visit a couple years ago to France and learning about the revolutionary new “smart car” at that time, LaPlant began doing some homework on the fuel efficient cars. What he found was an alternative which required no fossil or synthetic fuel at all, and at a fraction of the cost of the smart car.
SETTING UP SHOP
LaPlant built a nice business in Mid America Classics, located just north of Park Hills on U.S. 67. Then about five years ago he sold the shop to a young investor. “I thought I’d retire, but I can’t retire,” he says with a twinkle in his eye and a grin. For the next few years he worked alongside his son restoring classic cars for resale to collectors.
“I started researching and came up with three companies who offered electric cars,” he tells. “They were Miles, Wildfire and Zenn.” Within months the businessman had secured franchises for Miles and Wildfire cars, and reached an agreement to also deal in Zenn autos.
“I was the first franchise for Miles in the United States, and only the third now,” LaPlant said proudly, while sitting behind the desk in his office at Electric Car Co. in Farmington.
He explained how he likes to sell cars out of a storefront, versus having his inventory all lined up on an outdoor lot. It’s just the way he likes to run his business, and the same way he sold classic and hot rod cars and trucks for years in his earlier business. He chooses to keep a display of different models in the store, and has a decent-sized inventory offsite at a service center.
The phrase “models” can be misleading when dealing with the major manufacturers of electric cars. At this place in history the total electric car is still a burgeoning industry. Miles and other companies have opted to put their efforts into technological upgrades as new models come out from year to year. They’ve seemingly found a pretty sound and solid body style which boasts basic amenities and safety equipment, and have chosen to leave a good thing alone.
For now annual changes consists of improvements in battery power, horsepower and efficiency in function. The body style, or “model”, changes little from year to year. At least in America it’s a new way at looking at transportation, but a way of keeping costs low in both manufacturing and parts supply. It equates to not only savings in fuel costs and emissions pollution for willing consumers, but savings at the point of purchase as well.
To date, Miles offers a four-door model car and recently began building a small pickup truck. Wildfire offers a two-door model. Electric Car Company carries them all.
AT WHAT COSTS?
“I’m glad you asked that. That’s a very good question,” LaPlant exclaims, and then he jumps off into his latest tirade of just what makes his little cars unique.
He explains how AAA of America estimates that the average motorist in America drives his or her automobile 12,000 miles, or 1,000 miles a month. Consider for a moment this scenario purely as an example:
• The estimated cost for a gallon of medium grade gasoline in the Farmington area at the end of August is $3.40 a gallon;
• The average passenger car would get about 22 miles to the gallon;
• It would take 45.45 gallons to cover 1,000 miles;
• Fuel cost would be $154.53 for the month.
Now consider the same motorist drove an all electric car at the following estimated costs:
• Miles four-door sedan is rated for an average of 60 miles on a complete charge of the batteries;
• Charging the car from total drain to total charge takes about six hours, at an estimated cost based on Farmington electric rates (according to LaPlant’s research) of 18 cents per charge;
• The car would require 16.66 charges to travel 1,000 miles;
• Charging cost would be $3 for the month.
NOT FOR EVERY SITUATION
Now LaPlant is very realistic about an all electric car not being right for every motorist or driving condition. The little cars have a top speed of about 40 miles per hour, and nowhere near the acceleration speed required for highway driving. Their small size would not make for a necessarily comfortable ride down a rough back country road.
But for someone who does the majority of their driving within a few dozen miles from home, or who wants to save money while running errands around town or leisure driving, the all electric car might just fit the bill.
Both the two- and four-door models feature a sizable luggage area, with the four-door model also benefiting from a collapsible rear bench seat to make even more room for groceries, gear or sporting equipment. As for driver and passenger comfort, the author of this story is in no way slight in stature nor girth and found the four-door models to have more leg room and head clearance than his wife’s full-sized luxury car.
When it comes time to “refuel”, the electric cars require only a standard 110-volt three-pronged wall outlet. LaPlant says the batteries in the cars use Absorbent Glass Mat, or AGM, technology. Instead of having lead plates suspended in a pool of acid, the batteries use absorbent fiberglass mats and are built in such a way that they will not spill their contents if overturned. The batteries also do not develop a “memory” like other batteries in cellphones and appliances might, and can be charged and discharged rapidly and repeatedly without battery damage.
The electric cars feature an ample heater and defrost system. There is an AM/FM/CD radio standard in all models. Gauges consist of a speedometer and battery charge meter. Some makes offer child-safety door locks as an option.
A car weighs about 2,800 pounds, and is all steel construction with integrated steel safety bars built into the doors. The electric motor drives the front wheels directly. There is no transmission to shift. A simple push button switches the drive motor into reverse.
Driving requires only unhooking the power cord, depressing the foot brake pedal, releasing the emergency brake, and releasing the foot brake and applying the drive (not the “gas”) pedal. Turning is easy and brakes are vacuum-assisted hydraulics, just like most American gas-powered cars and trucks.
The one thing that takes a little getting used to is the fact that the only noise you hear is a slight hum of the electric motor once you turn on the key. To put it in perspective, the fan motor driving air through the passenger compartment heating and cooling vents creates more noise than the motor which drives the car.
Routine maintenance can consist of replacing brake pads, tires or checking wheel bearings and other moving parts found on the suspension of any passenger automobile. The cars utilize standard 13-inch tires found at any tire shop. Brake pads and other moving parts are specialized pieces available through the Electric Car Company, but are of a comparable price to other compact car models.
Obviously there is no oil to change or fuel or air filters to consider. LaPlant likens the maintenance required of the electric cars to that of an electric golf cart. “You can run one for years,” he adds.
All cars sold through Electric Car Company can be titled and licensed through the Missouri Department of Revenue. Some area banks and lending institutions have agreed to finance the cars with sales tax based on purchase price just like a traditional automobile. And there are insurance companies with local offices which will readily insure the small cars.
LaPlant sells his electric cars for prices ranging from just more than $10,000 up to about $17,000, depending on the model year. Upgrades from 2005 to the newest models have included more battery capacity and horsepower. The newer models reflect the price of the latest technology. Still, the businessman was recently able to purchase a shipment of 2005-2006 models, all new cars straight from the manufacturer, at a significant cost savings. He’s selling those cars for a fraction of the cost of the 2008 models.
The idea of electric cars in nothing new. In fact GM built a small run of total electric cars in about 1980. Their plight was revealed in the motion picture “Who Killed The Electric Car”, a documentary about the extreme efforts of a major petroleum company to squelch production of a fuel-free passenger car alternative. Copies of the video can still be found and make for interesting and entertaining watching.
This time though, LaPlant says, the consumer demand for a fuel- and emissions-efficient alternative to gasoline and diesel transportation will likely mean offerings such as electric cars are here to stay and cannot be ignored. Like any new product, it will take time to make it fit the needs of the masses. But for now the little electric cars already can meet the needs of some drivers all the time, and all drivers some of the time.
And LaPlant’s Electric Car Company has set up shop and is ready to fill those needs.
Ads by Yahoo!
Free Business Grants Kit
Get $50,000 in Free Business Grants. Request Your Free Kit Today.
www.thousanddollarprofits.com
Reader Comments (0)The comments below are from readers and do not represent the views of the Daily Journal
Search the archives
Last 30 Days
Advanced Search
Advanced Search
This Week's Most Viewed Stories
» All Most Viewed
This Week's Most Commented Stories
» Latest Comments
- Police release surveillance footage (23)
- Police make arrest in attempted Burger King robbery (14)
- Wounded deer attacks on hunter who shot him (10)
- Landrum announces run for mayor (8)
- Roberts announces she will seek another term (7)
» Latest Comments
This Week's Most Emailed Stories