|
|
 |
| 2008 Conference Pre-Conference Activities |
|
|
|
|
|
Organized pre-conference activities
Monday, May 19 - 2:00 pm.
Test drive electric vehicles courtesy EcoAuto of Bozeman, MT
Eco Auto Inc, located in downtown Bozeman, was founded by Ron Gompertz
in the summer of 2006. Eco Auto was and is one of the few
businesses in the US to specialize in "green" electric cars. It is the
only such business in the Northern Rocky Mountain region. Ron
is
currently developing a "Made for Montana" All wheel drive electric car
based on a Subaru Forester, dubbed the SubiEVee. He is also developing
a lithium powered electric bike called the SNUGG.
Rather than wait for customers to walk into his showroom, when it's
slow, Ron heads out to visit policy makers and community leaders in
cities throughout Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Ron realized early on
that to effectively sell electric vehicles in the Yellowstone region,
one had to take an activist / lobbyists / educators role.
One of Ron's early accomplishments was to co-author a Montana law
(Photo of Ron and Gov Schweitzer signing SB 185 on 4/23/07) creating a
new motor vehicle classification known as the "Medium Speed Electric
Vehicle." This pioneering and trendsetting law became the
template
for other states to follow, including Washington and now California. It
is likely to influence policy of the National Highway Transportation
Safety Authority in Washington DC.
Eco Auto's customers range from a Billings high school science teacher,
an attorney in Bozeman, a physician in Great Falls, the State of
Montana in Helena, the University of Montana in Missoula, and an
upscale guest ranch resort.
Volunteer Service Project at Grand Teton National Park
Special Todd Litman Seminar – for those enrolled in
YBP Sustainability Programs
Nature hikes and horseback rides by reservation with GTLC
|
|
