Cheaper and more environmentally friendly transportation could become easier if county officials get their way.
The Alachua County Energy Conservation Strategies Commission, or ECSC, and GatorMoto Utility Vehicles held an electric-vehicle demonstration Wednesday to teach residents and county officials about the benefits of gas-free travel.
The Neighborhood Electric Vehicles on display were golf-cart sized electric cars, which can travel at a cost of about two cents per mile. The vehicles are being promoted by the ECSC to create a more environmentally friendly transportation system in Gainesville.
"This is the perfect vehicle to replace a second car," said Penny Wheat, chairwoman of the ECSC.
The vehicles are street legal on roads with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less. After six hours of charging, most of the electric vehicles can travel up to 45 miles, said Ted Jackrel, president of GatorMoto Utility Vehicles. They can also be charged in any standard outlet.
Alachua County officials said they hope to make changes that will allow residents to use these vehicles on a daily basis.
They have already created a map on the county Web site that details what roads are legal for the vehicles. Officials also plan to find ways to connect low-speed roads to allow users to navigate the city more smoothly.
"We hope to develop a road system to make sure that the vehicles can run on roads that are interconnected," said Fred Depenbrock, a member of ECSC and chairman of the Innovative and Alternative Energy Committee.
The committee is looking for ways to allow the vehicles to travel along Newberry and Archer roads.
Some officials, like Depenbrock, said the change should take place now.
"Next week would be fine for me," Depenbrock said.
