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Gas prices could spark electric car sales(Paducah Sun, The (KY) (KRT) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Sep. 14--It isn't the answer for highway driving, but Dr. David Tucker touts the Tomberlin E-Merge as a good way to save gas around the neighborhood. He drives one of the electric cars and has a few on display at Dollar-A-Day Auto in Lone Oak. Although sales are slow, Tucker thinks the idea will catch on as gas prices continue to eat into drivers' pocketbooks. "Mine has a range of 30 miles per charge and will charge overnight," he said, noting that the vehicle gets the equivalent of 200 to 300 miles per gallon of gas. For extended range, the E-Merge has a hybrid model with a rear generator to recharge the batteries while driving. Solar roof panels also are being considered, Tucker said. Tucker said a two-person E-merge lists at $6,250 with many more features than an upper-end golf cart, priced as high as $5,800. The E-Merge also is faster, with speeds up to 25 mph for both two- and four-passenger models. Tucker uses his to run errands near home in Lone Oak or at his ophthalmology practice at 17th and Broadway. For bad weather, there is an optional enclosure and heater. Federal guidelines limit use of the low-speed vehicles to zones at and below 35 mph unless they are crossing a higher-speed road. The E-Merge also has horns, turn signals, 4-wheel braking and brake lights, seat belts and a windshield wiper. Tucker's has a crash bar, although one isn't mandatory. Kentucky has joined more than 40 states in allowing certain low-speed vehicles. Effective July 15, the new law allows local governments to adopt ordinances for "golf carts" running no faster than 35 mph. "Even though I have mine licensed and tagged, the new law says they don't have to be titled, but you have to have insurance," Tucker said. Known as The Cart Doctor, he became a Tomberlin dealer last fall after having old used golf carts for several years. Tucker thinks the E-Merge eventually will be in a class slightly different from golf carts. "It's a new kid on the block, and I haven't really advertised it," he said. "Regular golf carts are increasing in use on farms, campgrounds and for other utility uses. There are people in Lone Oak driving them to the grocery." Information: 519-3569, 448-5191, optogcar@comcast, www.the-cart-doctor.com or www.tomberlin.net. Joe Walker can be contacted at 575-8656. To see more of The Paducah Sun, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.paducahsun.com. Copyright (c) 2008, The Paducah Sun, Ky. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |