Fest(EV)al Draws Crowds and Cars
June 2, 2018, DECORAH – The Fest(EV)al electric vehicle festival attracted crowds and cars. Over 200 people attended to learn about plug-in electric vehicles at the Danan Lansing Building.
Principal sponsor KAR Auto Group (Decorah Chevrolet Cadillac, Decorah Auto group) showed up to exhibit their very first hybrid minivan: the Chrysler Pacifica, along with three other hybrid vehicles. KAR is the first auto dealer in Winneshiek County to have their mechanics certified to work on electric vehicles.
Honda Motorwerks of La Crosse, a dealership known for supplying alternative fuel vehicles to the driftless area, showcased a 2018 Honda Clarity. Attendees learned about the difference between flex fuel, fuel cell, hybrids and all-electric vehicles.
The Winneshiek Energy District put on workshops about the environmental benefits of electric vehicles, the dollars and cents of electric vehicles, and charging.
Outside, a dozen owners of all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles showcased their cars. Electric vehicles at the community car show included Luther College’s 2008 all-electric maintenance vehicle, a Nissan Leaf, several Chevy Volts, and everything in between. Plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicle owners were available to talk to attendees about their vehicles’ range, charging, and more.
Cuck Lundby of Minneapolis brought his Tesla Model X and obliged viewers with a showing of the Tesla-programmed rock light show. “My granddaughter calls it the bunny rabbit dance”, says Chuck’s wife, referencing the up and down motions of the spaceship-like doors to the tune of a rocking Christmas anthem.
“I got back to Dubuque and my Bolt is reporting about 77 miles of range left. So that would be a total range of 277 miles given I drove 200 miles so far today” reports 2018 Chevy Bolt owner Jesse Green of Dubuque.
