[greencountryev]

I am looking to start a new Electric Auto Association Chapter in Tulsa, OK called EAA of Green Country. I need some advice on how to start. I have a few people that are interested, but we don't actually have any EV projects or know anyone in the area who has an EV. I need to find people in the Tulsa area that have EVs. Any advice?

[Mastiff]

I'd say start up a website and use it as your main means of communication, put up a forum and contact info for the President of your EAA and things like that.

The best way to find EVers is to search on the EVAlbum by Location:
http://evalbum.com/geo

There's also the Texoma Electric Vehicle Association:
http://www.texomaev.com/

They're looking for members, I would join both your Associations except that I don't have the money to build my own EV yet.

[greencountryev]

Originally Posted by Mastiff

I'd say start up a website and use it as your main means of communication, put up a forum and contact info for the President of your EAA and things like that.

The best way to find EVers is to search on the EVAlbum by Location:
http://evalbum.com/geo

There's also the Texoma Electric Vehicle Association:
http://www.texomaev.com/

They're looking for members, I would join both your Associations except that I don't have the money to build my own EV yet.

I don't have an EV either. It doesn't say anywhere on the www.eaaev.org web page that we have to have the cars. I think it is impled, but not a prerequisite. So, I am looking for anyone who is interested in getting together and discussing them and making a EAA Chapter in Tulsa, OK.

[TexomaEV]

We all have to start somewhere, and learning from others or the internet about EV's is good. I'd post an ad in some of the local newspapers, or a public announcement in them, to see if you get any interest.

You do know of the EV Restriction we OKIE's have to deal with right?

But there is that nice Tax Incentive we have until Jan 2009.

[greencountryev]

Originally Posted by TexomaEV

We all have to start somewhere, and learning from others or the internet about EV's is good. I'd post an ad in some of the local newspapers, or a public announcement in them, to see if you get any interest.

You do know of the EV Restriction we OKIE's have to deal with right?

But there is that nice Tax Incentive we have until Jan 2009.

I wasn't aware of any restrictions. I did read about the tax incentives. What are the restrictions in Oklahoma?

[TexomaEV]

Originally Posted by greencountryev

I wasn't aware of any restrictions. I did read about the tax incentives. What are the restrictions in Oklahoma?

Yes, the all mighty legislature came up with the "Oklahoma Alternative Fuels Act" , which governs, Propane - Natural Gas - Electric , conversions.

It limits the everyday person to a mere 80vdc Electric Vehicle, unless he's willing to take a state run EV course, (it isn't free either) and maintain an EV Technician Certification every year, (it also isn't free).

If we OKIES, could ever get enough conversions on the road, and or support, we could hit them hard with phone calls, complaints, petitions, etc, in order to get the Electric Conversions written out of the Act.

We also, need to try and get the Tax Incentive extended beyond the Jan 2009 deadline. I was able to claim 50% of the conversion on my taxes this year, and it saved me alot of money. If I could afford an OEM Conversion, like from LionEV, I'd be able to claim the entire cost of the vehicle with the current incentive.

[greencountryev]

I am going to the Green Festival in Plano on April 12th. Hopefully, I can talk to the guys at the NTEAA while I am there. We need to get this going in Tulsa soon.

[Mastiff]

Originally Posted by TexomaEV

Yes, the all mighty legislature came up with the "Oklahoma Alternative Fuels Act" , which governs, Propane - Natural Gas - Electric , conversions.

It limits the everyday person to a mere 80vdc Electric Vehicle, unless he's willing to take a state run EV course, (it isn't free either) and maintain an EV Technician Certification every year, (it also isn't free).

If we OKIES, could ever get enough conversions on the road, and or support, we could hit them hard with phone calls, complaints, petitions, etc, in order to get the Electric Conversions written out of the Act.

Wow I was completely unaware of this.

I think this is ludicrous, what do they care what Voltage the vehicle is?


The only reason I can think of is because of the Fire Department.
If they spray water on your Crashed EV, it's not a very good thing when water meets a high voltage system.

In that case all it should take is a sticker on your wind shield denoting that your vehicle is electric, possibly also a sticker near your license plate.

[TexomaEV]

I wouldn't mind it as much, if we could at least take an online test, maybe even go to the tag agency nearby, and take the test. It shouldn't cost anything either.

I don't mind the legislature wanting safe EV's, just not the method they chose to obtain them. It's more like, we don't want you to quit using oil, so we'll make it as hard for you to do so as we can make it....

[greencountryev]

Originally Posted by TexomaEV

I wouldn't mind it as much, if we could at least take an online test, maybe even go to the tag agency nearby, and take the test. It shouldn't cost anything either.

I don't mind the legislature wanting safe EV's, just not the method they chose to obtain them. It's more like, we don't want you to quit using oil, so we'll make it as hard for you to do so as we can make it....

That is the impression that I got as well. Oklahoma's history is deeply rooted in oil especially up here in the Tulsa area. I would just hate to see Oklahoma get left behind in the race for Alternative vehicles, and that is what is going to happen if they don't see the writing on the wall.