Tallahassee's Ride Electric Expo showcases all that's new in EV technology

Sustainable Tallahassee's largest one-day showcase of all-electric vehicles took place on Saturday, Oct. 6. The "Ride Electric" event stressed the affordability of non-fossil fuel driving options.

A long-standing objection to electric vehicles has been their higher purchase price. But Kraft Nissan's Seth Robertson, one of the Ride Electric exhibitors, said the lower operating expense for EVs over the long haul greatly offsets that higher upfront cost.

"If you're spending $20-$30,000 on a nice vehicle, versus going EV and spending an extra $15,000, you drive that for 8 or 10 years with minimal maintenance, you're obviously saving money rather than costing more."

EV advocates also note there are far more recharging stations than ever before.

Dozens of electric powered vehicles of all shapes and sizes were lined up in the lower parking lot of St. Paul's Methodist Church near Lake Ella Saturday morning. Sustainable Tallahassee President Leighanne Boone said this year's "Ride Electric" expo was the largest event of its kind ever.