National Drive Electric Week

National Drive Electric Week
Taos EV Expo 2022
Taos, NM
Sep 24, 2022

Day: Saturday, September 24, 2022 NOTE: this event has already happened, find current-year events on the Attend page.
Time: 12:00 - 4:00 pm MDT
Location: Taos Public Library
402 Camino de la Placita
Taos, NM 87571
Contact the event organizers, which took place in 2022.

Event Report

The Fourth Taos Electric Vehicle Expo was held September 24th at the Taos Public Library parking lot, from noon to 4:00 pm.  The event was again well attended and educational.  We had a great turnout, estimated at about 250 people, 35 EVs and 16 different makes/models.  About the same number of people and vehicles as last year, but more variety.  Especially noteworthy was the new Ford F-150 Lightning pickup from Capitol Ford in Santa Fe with 79 miles on it, and the Rivian R1T pickup from PPC Solar.  The total miles driven by all the EVs was over 530,000.

The venue worked out well.  This year we used the library lavatory facilities and the Community Room (conference room) for the Speaker Program.  With six speakers, the two-hour program went smoothly. 

 We had exhibitors from Taos Ski Valley, Taos County, Capitol Ford of Santa Fe, Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, and PPC Solar.  The Tesla Owners Club of NM was also an exhibitor and they signed up several new members. 

There were only a couple of demo rides.   Unofficially, a ride was given in a new Tesla Model S Plaid, with three motors and over 1000 horsepower.  The report I got was that it was disturbingly fast.

 We have about 20 new sign-ups for the Renewable Taos email list.

The two-hour Speaker Program is listed here:

1:00

Developments at the Kit Carson Electric Cooperative – Luis Reyes Jr.

With 100% daytime solar, first-in-the state battery storage for a Rural Electric Cooperative, and many EV chargers deployed and more planned, Luis will give us details on why KCEC is a national leader in renewable energy for its members. 

Luis is the Chief Executive Officer of our local electric utility, Kit Carson Electric Cooperative.  With encouragement from Renewable Taos, he has led the co-op to build renewable energy generation within the KCEC service area.

1:20

Electrification at Ford Motor Company – Tony Sena

Tony has been invited to give us insight into Ford’s plans for electrifying the product line. 

Tony lives in Santa Fe and is the Sales Manager for Capitol Ford.  As the F-150 Lightning goes into production, Ford hopes to expand on the very successful F-150 product line. 

1:40

The State of Transmission in Northern New Mexico – Sean Black

Renewable energy is key to a low-carbon / no-carbon future.  Where do we get this renewable energy?  Sean will discuss the state of transmission and potential projects and upgrades in our region.  Transmission provides resilience and supports the growth of electric transportation.

Since 2014, Sean has worked in the role of Director of Transmission Business Development with Ameren/Lucky Corridor and has over 30 years' experience working in engineering, marketing and business development for electric utilities, as well as companies that supply the electric energy business. Most recently, the projects under his purview target the integration of renewable energy.

2:00

Electric Vehicles: Running on Coal – David Kingsley

There are a lot of critics of electric vehicles.  The arguments are: “EVs force us to burn more coal”, “EVs will overload the grid” and “making EVs produces more pollution than making an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine).  He dispels the myths.

David has worked in the renewable energy field as a mechanical designer on geothermal and solar power plants, and several satellite solar power systems.  He has owned four EVs, two of them plug-in hybrids, one a conversion, and is currently driving a BEV (that is, an all-Battery Electric Vehicle).

2:20

How To Convert an ICE to an EV – Karl Nichols

Karl will discuss the growing hobbyist interest (and fun!) in converting internal combustion engine (ICE) cars to electric, as well as some of the pitfalls along the way.

Carl is a local electrician with a project to electrify his own car.   

2:40

Electrifying Public Transport – The Blue Bus Delilah Garcia

Delilah’s talk will focus on the Electric Bus Project in Taos and the sustainability attributes incorporated into the new Taos Operations and Maintenance Facility design which will also incorporate electric charging infrastructure. 

Delilah is the Operations Director for the NCRTD where she oversees daily operations of 29 routes covering over 10,000 square miles in eight NM counties, including facilities upkeep and bus maintenance. 


photo by: Daniel Pritchard, Executive Board, Renewable Taos, Inc.
The 2022 Taos EV Expo, Taos, New Mexico.

Event Description

 

The 2021 Taos Electric Vehicle Expo

Saturday, September 24, 2022

ANNOUNCEMENT AND GENERAL INFORMATION

You are invited to attend the 2022 Taos Electric Vehicle Expo.  This event, entering its fifth year, features dozens of electric cars, electric motorcycles and bicycles, speakers and exhibitors of other solar and renewable energy technology.  It is sponsored by Renewable Taos, Inc., the non-for-profit, renewable energy advocacy organization in Taos, NM, Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, and other organizations in Taos and surrounding areas.  THIS IS A FREE EVENT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

WHY: Promoting electric transportation in all forms.  See exhibits, hear experts, learn more!

WHERE: Taos Public Library, 402 Camino de la Placita, Taos, NM.

WHEN: OPEN TO THE PUBLIC from Noon to 4:00 pm. 

LEARN: If you have questions about electric vehicles (EVs), this is the event of the year for you! 
* What are the advantages of EVs?
* How much do they cost?
* Is financing or a tax credit available?
* What models are available now, and what will be available in the next year or two?
* How far can I travel on a full charge?
* Do I need special equipment or can I plug it in at my home or apartment?

EXHIBITS: Auto and motorcycle dealerships, bicycle dealers, related equipment vendors and other renewable-focused companies are invited.  Attendees will have opportunities to talk to vendors, exhibitors and EV owners.

SPEAKERS: During the Expo, experts will give short talks on related topics with time for questions.  

DEMOS: Participatory demonstrations of electric transportation are at the discretion of the owner. (Renewable Taos, Inc. and Kit Carson Electric Cooperative assume no liability.)   

FOOD: There will likely be food concessions.  Water will be available.

CONTACT: For more information or to be an exhibitor, email to:  info@TaosEVExpo.org 
Also visit:  TaosEVExpo.org       Register at:  tiny.cc/evexpo

Sponsored by:

  • Renewable Taos, Inc., a 501c(3) not-for-profit organization promoting renewable energy and economic development.  Visit www.renewabletaos.org for more information.  

  • Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, Inc., the electricity provider for north-central New Mexico with a focus on providing all-renewable energy for its members.  


SPECIAL COVID-19 Safety Requirements:  Public Safety is of paramount concern for all Taos EV Expo participants including volunteers, exhibitors and attendees.  All participants will agree to and follow State of NM COVID-Safe procedures and practices.

Registered Attendees

There are currently 26 attendees registered.

Owners of These Vehicles Have Registered To Attend

Vehicle Registered
Tesla Model 3 4
Ford Mustang Mach-E 1
Kia Niro Electric 1
Tesla Model S 1
Tesla Model Y 1
5 Models 8

Registered attendees report 218,500 electric miles driven.

Presented By

Plugin America logo
Electric Vehicle Association logo
Sierra Club logo
EVHybridNoire logo
Drive Electric USA logo

All NDEW 2024 sponsors support Plug In America's coordination of National Drive Electric Week.

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