Workshop Today On Electric Cars

MODESTO -- An electric vehicle workshop will be offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District's Northern Region Headquarters, 4800 Enterprise Way, in Modesto.

The free event is titled "The Future is Electric: Plug In and Get There!" Sponsors include the Modesto Irrigation District, the Drive Clean Rebate Program, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and the San Joaquin Valley Clean Cities Coalition.

The program includes:

• 10 a.m.: Introduction by Colin Santulli, California Center for Sustainable Energy, and opening remarks by Ceres Mayor Chris Vierra

• 10:10: Santulli on the basics of plug-in electric vehicles, or PEVs, including environmental, public health and economic benefits

• 10:20: David Lopez, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, on local PEV incentives and an overview of the Drive Clean Rebate Program

• 10:40: Amy Willis, California Center for Sustainable Energy, on state and federal PEV incentives, with an emphasis on the state rebate application process, project funding and frequently asked questions

• 11 a.m.: Bob Hondeville, Modesto Irrigation District, on PEV impact to grid and utility bills: grid reliability, rate programs and how MID can help customers prepare their homes for PEV fueling

• 11:15 a.m.: Panel of local PEV drivers: Hear about the PEV experience from your neighbors, including motivations to purchase a PEV, home charger installation process and utility rate experience

• 11:45: Free lunch, during which PEV drivers will be available to answer questions and vehicles will be on display and available for test drives