Interest in electric vehicles growing in Alabama, registration numbers doubled in 2 months in 2023
There are a lot more electric vehicle owners in Alabama these days lining up to charge up.Joshua Purdue has only been a Tesla owner for a year.”Since I got my Tesla, I know five people that have a Tesla and always stop and ask me questions,” Purdue said.When asked why he switched from driving a Land Rover to a Tesla, his answer was simple.”I got tired of paying for gas,” Purdue said.He’s not the only one making the investment to save money and stay away from the gas pump.Mark Bentley with Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition is too. “That shows what I’ve saved in the last 31 days. I’ve saved $87,” Bentley said.Bentley is one of the people in charge of hosting an electric vehicle showcase in Pepper Place this weekend. He says there will be about 50 EV owners who can answer questions about their ride and experience.“We’ll have Chevrolet, we’ll have Fords. We’ll have the Chevy bulks. The i9 BMW, probably the Jaguars. The Teslas,” Bentley said.Last May, there were just over 4,700 registered electric vehicles in the state, and just two months later, in July 2023, the Department of Energy said that number grew to more than 8,700. That doesn’t surprise either Bentley or Purdue.”The availability is there, and dealers are more aware and have inventory,” Bentley said.”I think electric vehicles are good. Number one for the tax credits. They even have tax credits if you get a used EV. I think it’s better in general because they have more charging stations coming across Birmingham,” Purdue said.The event is on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. Organizers said it will be a one-on-one experience with EV owners and those interested.
There are a lot more electric vehicle owners in Alabama these days lining up to charge up.
Joshua Purdue has only been a Tesla owner for a year.
“Since I got my Tesla, I know five people that have a Tesla and always stop and ask me questions,” Purdue said.
When asked why he switched from driving a Land Rover to a Tesla, his answer was simple.
“I got tired of paying for gas,” Purdue said.
He’s not the only one making the investment to save money and stay away from the gas pump.
Mark Bentley with Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition is too.
“That shows what I’ve saved in the last 31 days. I’ve saved $87,” Bentley said.
Bentley is one of the people in charge of hosting an electric vehicle showcase in Pepper Place this weekend. He says there will be about 50 EV owners who can answer questions about their ride and experience.
“We’ll have Chevrolet, we’ll have Fords. We’ll have the Chevy bulks. The i9 BMW, probably the Jaguars. The Teslas,” Bentley said.
Last May, there were just over 4,700 registered electric vehicles in the state, and just two months later, in July 2023, the Department of Energy said that number grew to more than 8,700. That doesn’t surprise either Bentley or Purdue.
“The availability is there, and dealers are more aware and have inventory,” Bentley said.
“I think electric vehicles are good. Number one for the tax credits. They even have tax credits if you get a used EV. I think it’s better in general because they have more charging stations coming across Birmingham,” Purdue said.
The event is on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. Organizers said it will be a one-on-one experience with EV owners and those interested.
