LIVONIA –  For many motorists, the dream of declaring independence from the pump is just that – a dream. They hear the hype about electric cars but they’ve never actually seen one, let alone ridden in one.

All of that is about to change with the 1st Annual Michigan Electric Vehicle Rally & Show.

The event is Saturday, August 22 from noon to 9 p.m. on the campus of Schoolcraft College in Livonia. Event co-sponsors are the Michigan Electric Auto Association (MEAA) and the Schoolcraft College Electronic Technology program.

This is the MEAA’s first attempt at holding a rally and show of this magnitude. In doing so, MEAA event organizers are trying to send three messages about electric vehicles (EVs):

• EVs are coming. The major companies are developing new electric and hybrid models that will be on the market beginning in 2010, and a growing number of people are converting gas-powered vehicles to electric power and building electric cars using EV kits.
• EVs are practical. Studies show that 80% of daily commuters travel less than 40 miles roundtrip per day, a distance that is well within the charging range of electric vehicles. Some EVs have ranges twice that while travelling at highway speeds.
• EV owners enjoy talking about their cars. The best way to learn about electric cars is to see the cars in person, talk to the people who drive them, and go for a ride.

The event is free and open to the public. Between 20 and 30 electric and hybrid vehicles are expected to be on display. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the cars up-close, talk to the owners, and beginning at 2 p.m., go for a short ride with the owner driving. The vehicles will include those produced with EV kits, those that are gas cars converted to electric, and production models from major manufacturers.

In addition, there will be booths displaying new products and services for the EV market; a presentation on how to convert gas-powered cars to electric power; an autocross event featuring EVs; and information about Schoolcraft College programs that are related to the EV industry. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

The event schedule includes:

• Noon  Exhibits and displays open
• 2 p.m. Rides begin
• 6 p.m. EV autocross event
• 9 p.m. Event closes

MEAA President Larry Tuttle hopes that the event will begin to close the gap between what people are hearing and what they actually know about EVs.

“Everyone is hearing about electric vehicles but very few people have ever actually seen one,” Tuttle said. “This is a chance for people to experience an EV firsthand and to talk with someone who owns one. Being able to ride in one of these cars is great, but talking to the owner is just as important. The big question people have is, ‘how will an EV fit into my lifestyle?’ The best way to answer that question is to talk to someone who is already living with an electric car.”

Schoolcraft’s Associate Dean of Business and Technology Bruce Sweet sees the event as a way to highlight how closely connected the college’s programs are with emerging industries that will be crucial to Michigan’s economy.

“Our programs in electronic technology, metallurgy, welding and fabrication, and computer-aided design teach skills that are highly portable between sectors of the manufacturing industry,” he said. “This event will help current and prospective students understand some of the career opportunities in emerging industries, be it EVs, wind turbines or other green technologies.”

More information on the event and the MEAA is available at http://michiganeaa.org/ Schoolcraft College is a public two-year college, offering classes at the Livonia campus, Haggerty Road between Six and Seven Mile Roads, at the Radcliff Center in Garden City and online at www.schoolcraft.edu.