Read about E Company in Traverse City's Record Eagle

Plug In, Then Tool Around

Soon, zippy electric cars may be headed downtown and parking for free

By Vanessa McCray

vmccray@record-eagle.com

Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
Ella Cooper-Froelich, of E Company, sits in a new Kurrent electric car.

TRAVERSE CITY — A fleet of rainbow-colored electric cars soon will be buzzing about Traverse City, and could be parking for free.

E Company, based out of the Traverse City railroad depot, plans to offer two- and four-passenger electric cars for rent. The cars are easy to spot, compact, and travel up to 40 miles per battery charge, a task completed by plugging the car into a standard household electrical outlet.

"A battery electric vehicle for tooling around Traverse City would make a lot of sense and less impact on the environment,” said company vice president Ella Cooper-Froehlich.

She rattled off a slew of statistics about the miniature motorcars. The American Electric "Kurrent” model seats two, measures 92 inches long and is clean enough — "No oil drip,” she proclaimed — to park on a living room carpet.

Not that drivers would sidle up to their sofa when city officials are considering allowing electric cars to park in metered spaces at no charge, an incentive Cooper-Froehlich endorses.

"(It's) a good way to encourage using very efficient cars,” said Rob Bacigalupi, deputy director of the Downtown Development Authority.

The DDA board this month recommended the parking plan to city commissioners, who are expected to discuss the proposal May 7. It would allow all fully electric cars, but not hybrids, to park free at city meters. The time limit at meters, however, would be enforced. DDA members suggested the program be evaluated at the end of the summer season to gauge its popularity and what impact it has on the parking system.

One DDA member expressed concern that advertisements could be painted on the cars for out-of-town big box stores, but the board decided the program was worth testing.

"If free parking for electric-only vehicles is going to be a real problem, I think that's the best news we could have,” said board member Robert Burian at the recent DDA meeting.

The rentals will be powered "100 percent by renewable energy,” said Cooper-Froehlich. Solar panels have been installed at the depot, where the cars can be driven up to electrical outlets and plugged in.

A half-day rental of a two-passenger car will be about $60.

The company also will sell electric cars. A well-equipped Kurrent is priced around $13,800.

The motors in the electric cars are restricted to not exceed 25 mph.