LIVONIA – As gas prices hover near $4.00 per gallon and the U.S. sends billions of hard-earned dollars overseas to buy oil, many motorists dream of declaring independence from the pump, and some look to electric cars to make that dream come true. While electric cars are becoming more common on the roads, few have had the chance to see one up close, talk to the owner or ride in one. All of that is about to change with the Fourth Annual Michigan Electric Vehicle Show & Rally, Saturday, June 9 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on the campus of Schoolcraft College in Livonia. Event co-sponsors are Schoolcraft College and the Michigan Electric Auto Association (MEAA) in partnership with Clean Energy Coalition and DTE Energy and Greening Detroit.
Event organizers see the show as an important and fun way to raise awareness of the general public about electric vehicles (EVs), regarding three important factors:
 • EVs are here. The major automotive companies are developing new electric and hybrid models that are on the market, and a growing number of people are converting gas-powered vehicles to electric power
• EVs are practical. Studies show that 80% of daily commuters travel less than 40 miles roundtrip per day, a distance that is well within the charging range of electric vehicles.
• EV owners enjoy talking about their cars. The best way to learn about electric cars is to see the cars in person, talk to the people who drive them, and go for a ride.
 The event is free and open to the public. Electric and hybrid vehicles of all shapes and sizes, from scooters to transport vans to pickup trucks, and of course passenger cars, will be on display. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the cars up-close, talk to the owners, and go for a short ride in an EV with the owner driving. The vehicles on display will include production models from major manufacturers, gas-pwered cars converted to electric, and those produced with EV kits.
  “This is the largest event of its kind in the Midwest and you won’t want to miss it,” said MEAA President Larry Tuttle. “Besides learning all about the latest EV technology and talking  to people who drive the new production EVs every day, there are two additional very popular highlights of this event: visitors can see a variety of unique EV conversions done by members of the MEAA and also watch them compete in an exciting solo autocross race.”
 Schoolcraft’s Vice President of Instruction Rich Weinkauf sees the event as a way to highlight how closely connected the college’s programs are with emerging industries that will be crucial to Michigan’s economy.
 “Schoolcraft College has excellent programs in materials science, electronic technology, advanced manufacturing, computer-aided design, advanced energy storage technology and computer information systems that are in demand by the companies building and supporting electric vehicles and other green technologies.”                                              
Schoolcraft College is also home to four Level II charging stations which are offered without cost to electric car owners to charge their vehicles.  “The Electric Vehicle Show and Rally along with the presence of charging stations onour campus highlight Schoolcraft’s commitment to providing education on these technologies, the electrification of the transportation system and supporting the electric vehicle culture.”
 Details on the Fourth Annual Electric Vehicle Show and Rally and the MEAA is available at www.michiganevshow.org/.
Schoolcraft College is a public two-year college, offering classes at the Livonia campus, Haggerty Road between Six and Seven Mile Roads, at the Radcliff Center in Garden City and online at www.schoolcraft.edu.
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