[Previous entry: "New Years Resolutions made possible by Island Rec!"] [Next entry: "And Yet More Grants Available…"]

01/02/2006: "The First Of Many?"

(Piet Visser takes ownership of his new electric "truck")

Your may have seen a number of little electric cars parked around Friday Harbor that are for sale. The first one has been sold, and County Commissioner Myhr hopes there will be more of them in San Juan County in the future. Myhr recently told the BOCC that he would like the County to do whatever they can to encourage the use of such non-polluting vehicles, but noted there are some road restrictions that apply to some of the smaller models. Depending on the type purchased, some are restricted to the use of roads that are posted at 35 mph, or less, speed limits.

Local electric car enthusiast Aaron Hayes sold the first electric GEM (Global Electric Motorcar) car last Tuesday to Piet Visser. Hayes, acting in partnership with Bellingham Chrysler Center has started an active campaign to entice Islanders to purchase electric cars for zero emission and to help reduce gas consumption on the islands.


Visser, a real estate agent and small business owner bought his partly as transportation and partly to promote his new business Big Barn Bakes (formerly Kneadful things) and has grand plans for the store when it reopens in late January. "The GEM car is going to be an important part of the promotion of our business" said Visser. "It's an eye catcher. I intend to use that to draw attention to our business".

Tax breaks, no emissions and zero gas consumption are the leading reasons for owning an electric vehicle, but like Big Barn Bakes, there are a lot of other reasons to own one.

Hayes believes GEM cars are the ideal second car for the island. Others agree. Sales are brisk, and as a result, recharging stations could start showing up all over the islands soon.