Police Department Purchases “Green” vehicles for Parking Enforcement

 The Oklahoma City Police recently purchased four new Wheego electric cars for use in Parking Enforcement Unit which operates out of the Bricktown Sub-Station.  These vehicles will replace two of the gasoline powered Westward Industry Go-4, 3-wheeled [...]]]> Press release from Oklahoma City Government, May 15, 2012

Police Department Purchases “Green” vehicles for Parking Enforcement

 The Oklahoma City Police recently purchased four new Wheego electric cars for use in Parking Enforcement Unit which operates out of the Bricktown Sub-Station.  These vehicles will replace two of the gasoline powered Westward Industry Go-4, 3-wheeled vehicles.  The Wheego “Whip” is a four-wheel, 2-passenger, front wheel drive, and electric car, powered by a rechargeable battery pack.  The electric “Whip” is approximately 118.5” in length, 63.2” in wide, and 63.0” tall weighing approx. 2,999 pounds.  The new Wheego electric vehicles have all of the safety, comforts, and conveniences of a full size car, but in a smaller package.  The vehicle has a 40 mile range per charging cycle and is equipped with a regenerative power braking system, which extends the driving range.  The new vehicles will go into service starting May 16, 2012 and will supplement the current Go-4 vehicles currently in use.

Released by:  Capt. Dexter Nelson
                         Oklahoma City Police Departments
                         Office of Media Relations

From the CayCompass, May 16, 2012

Triple C School held its first annual Captain Theo Bodden Memorial Golf Tournament at the North Sound Golf Course last month.

The tournament was a four-person scramble and Triple C School is extremely happy with the success of this event and for [...]]]> Triple C Teed Up More Funds

From the CayCompass, May 16, 2012

Triple C School held its first annual Captain Theo Bodden Memorial Golf Tournament at the North Sound Golf Course last month.

The tournament was a four-person scramble and Triple C School is extremely happy with the success of this event and for all the support it received through sponsorships and prize donations.

All proceeds will go towards Triple C Schools on-going capital improvements for the school, pre-school through grade 12. The major sponsor for the event was Cashwiz and joining the event as hole sponsors were AON, BDO, Bodden & Bodden Attorneys-At-Law, Bodden’s Funeral Home, Bob Watler’s Development & Realty, Burger King, Butterfield Bank, Cayman National Bank, Cayman Subway, Crighton Properties, Fidelity Group, Home Gas, Kirk Freeport, Kirk Home Center, Kirk Office Equipment, Nicky Pappadakis 
and Watler’s Metal Products.

The day was filled with excitement as the golfers prepared to do their best to win some excellent individual and team prizes. Along with the team and individual tournament prizes, each golfer received a goody bag, cart rental and a buffet meal.

There were two cars up for grabs for the hole-in-one competition but unfortunately no one was successful. The two cars were provided by Vampt Motors (2012 Ford Ranger) and Cayman Automotive (Wheego EV).

The tournament’s winning team was Androgroup Elevator, led by Al Hayes. The second and third placed teams were mixed teams from Ogier & Marsh Management and Bodden Holdings.

Triple C School thanked all the sponsors, especially Cashwiz for supporting their first of what will be annual golf tournament.

They also thanked all the companies that registered a team to play and look forward to having everyone enter again next year with additional teams entering.

For more information about the Triple C Captain Theo Bodden Memorial Golf Tournament or about Triple C School call 949-6022 or email development@triplecschool.org.

By Bill Moore

You would think that the State of Florida would be the ideal location for a host ofelectric vehicle options. It’s climate is moderate with only the occasional and briefest freezing weather. It is relatively flat, posing few challenging grades forelectric car batteries, though what it lacks in [...]]]> from EVWorld.com, April 2012

By Bill Moore

You would think that the State of Florida would be the ideal location for a host ofelectric vehicle options. It’s climate is moderate with only the occasional and briefest freezing weather. It is relatively flat, posing few challenging grades forelectric car batteries, though what it lacks in elevation it makes up for in humidity, necessitating the use of air conditioning much of the time. It’s not desert dry southern California for sure. Still, it’s a pretty good candidate for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

Through the work of people like Helda Rodriquez, the vehicle charging infrastructure part of the puzzle is being put in place in Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville. You can buy the Wheego, the Leaf, the Volt and even the Fisker Karma from local dealers. You can rent the Leaf from Enterprise. Technologically and geographically, Florida should eventually evolve into one of the more activeEV markets in the United States, though politically, it faces its share of challenges, as well as economically. Florida’s economy is one of the hardest hit in the nation with home values plummeting to fractions of their previous highs. Politically, the state tends to be very conservative, which oddly militates against anything perceived to be “liberal,” which sadly seems to include electric cars for the moment. There’s a reason the Republican Party is holding their 2012 National Convention in Tampa; it offers a sympathetic arena for their views.

Still, there are Floridians who like the idea of using energy that comes from American resources to power their cars and not oil from Hugo Chavez’s Venezuela or Nigeria or Saudi Arabia. They too are tired of kowtowing to Big Oil and the whims of foreign despots, and an electric car seems the perfect way to declare one’s ‘independence,’ especially if the energy to power the car comes from the sun that shines on your home or your business. And Floridians have lots of sunshine; it’s state motto is, after all, ‘The Sunshine State.’

So, with this as the backdrop, I delivered an hour-long introduction to electric vehicles to open the EV Forums section of the 2012 EV Expo last February in Tampa. This two-part video is excerpted from that talk, the goal of which was to bring the audience up-to-speed on the current state-of-the-art in EV technology and marketplace offerings, including not only the vehicles available on local dealer lots — and we had examples of all the available EVs from the ‘i’ to the Volt on the exhibit hall floor — but other, more affordable ways to get into EVs that don’t involve laying out $30-45K.

Check out these pictures of the “Dali Wheego,” which participated in the parade to St. Petersburg’s Dali Museum:

Most of us have known nothing but cars that run on petrol. We pull up to the station, we fill up, we drive off. Every time the price of fuel increases we groan but we suffer it, because in the end we’d rather pay [...]]]> by Vicki Wheaton for the Cay Compass, April 20, 2012

Most of us have known nothing but cars that run on petrol. We pull up to the station, we fill up, we drive off. Every time the price of fuel increases we groan but we suffer it, because in the end we’d rather pay more than give up our vehicles.

Until recently there has been no end in sight, and basically everyone has been wondering if there is $10 per gallon in our future. Maybe that’s what the Mayans were barking on about.

Electric or hybrid cars have featured on television, and environmentally-conscious celebrities have put them in the news – tossing aside their four-wheeled behemoths in favour of nippier models that are cleaner and quieter. After years of debate and preparation, it looks as though the Cayman Islands are on the brink of registering electric cars, making them available to drive on local roads.

John Felder, chief executive officer of Cayman Automotive, has been spearheading the initiative and says he is glad to see his efforts finally being rewarded. He already has Wheego models in Grand Cayman, and has been featuring them at a number of events – particularly those revolving around eco-friendly products.

The installation of charging stations is also being planned at a number of familiar locations. There will initially be four active stations strategically placed about Grand Cayman, with a total of 14 appearing in the future.

Of course, people want to know what it is like to drive one of these cars, and how it differs from their gas-guzzlin’, exhaust pipe-smokin’ transports. How far will they have to stray from their comfort zone to go electric? I decided to take one for a test drive and get the inside track on the Wheego. They don’t call me The Stig down here for nothing!

John decided he would ride in the passenger seat. I don’t know if it was so he could give me information as we went, or so he could make sure I didn’t crash his baby.

The first surprise was when I started the engine. There was no “vroom,” no exhaust fumes … no noise at all. It was honestly bizarre. I was being encouraged to put it in gear and start off, but I couldn’t get over the quiet. Normally when my car sounds (or doesn’t sound) like that, it means it’s broken. With the Wheego the complete opposite is true.

We exited the property and I quickly began to get used to the way it handled. I should note that the Wheego is a two-seater with a lot of storage area in the back. I am not considered a small woman, but I found the seat accommodating and comfortable. There was ample head room and my long, model’s legs (ahem) had easily enough space to manoeuvre.

The private road had a number of lumps and bumps and I hit the accelerator with gusto as we headed toward them. The smooth brakes allowed us to take tight corners without losing a couple of teeth and it had good suspension on the undulating tarmac and even a sizeable pothole that suddenly appeared out of nowhere … I swear. Another important point to mention at this stage: the Wheego has passed rigorous safety tests and features driver and passenger-side air bags along with a high strength unibody steel frame.

Once I had taken us for a tour of the area, I turned for the journey back. John seemed relieved. I have to say that as we pulled back up to our starting position, I found myself quite impressed with the Wheego. It was nice to drive on that first test, and as the engine was so quiet, I could hear my beautiful speaking voice with brilliant clarity. Where could I sign up for one of these marvellous vehicles?

The Wheego can go for 100 miles on a fully charged battery, and you simply plug it into the wall as you would a rather large toaster. There will be charging stations at Governor’s Square, Camana Bay, Kaibo and the Cayman Motor Museum which will actually power their station with solar panels. It can reach a maximum speed of 65 miles per hour which is all you need down here, and best of all, it costs a fraction of the price to power it.

It comes standard with air-conditioning which runs on a separate battery, so you don’t have to choose between staying cool or getting to your destination. It also has a stereo which of course you will be able to enjoy all the more because you’re not having to hear it over the sound of a petrol-driven engine. Most importantly, the Wheego comes in six exterior colours – White, Black, Red, Blue, Silver and Green (naturally.)

The Wheego is available for you to see at Cayman Automotive, and it will be on display at the Fashion in the Fast Lane event at the Cayman Motor Museum this Saturday evening. Expect to also encounter the fabulous AMP Mercedes ML in the coming months, and at the Expo in August, 2012.

Sunday, 22 April is Earth Day – a date that reminds the global population of how precious our home is, and the many different ways of recycling or using renewable energy to ensure that the planet is here for generations to come. [...]]]> by Vicki Wheaton for the Cay Compass, April 18, 2012

Photo by Vicki Wheaton

Sunday, 22 April is Earth Day – a date that reminds the global population of how precious our home is, and the many different ways of recycling or using renewable energy to ensure that the planet is here for generations to come. Events are popping up all over the Cayman Islands this week to promote Earth Day, so why not stop by to see how you can do your part to keep Cayman green? 

Today, 18 April, Camana Bay is celebrating with an afternoon of presentations and displays revolving around eco-friendly products. It all begins at 2pm at the Market Street Pavilion. There will be a distribution of complimentary native seedlings and gardening advice from the Camana Bay Arboretum, environmentally educational media from local organisations and vendors selling “green” goods. 

Throwing away bottles and cans is almost physically impossible for people who come to live here from other countries that offer recycling programmes. Ask any Canadian how they feel about it all going in one bin and they will start to break out in a cold sweat.  

Bring your glass and aluminium to Camana Bay this afternoon, and you can assist with local recycling efforts by putting them in the labelled collection bins. 

Two very exciting products will be debuting at the Earth Day event: Camana Bay’s new glass pulveriser and the Wheego electric cars courtesy of Cayman Automotive. Both are definitely worth a second look. 

At 7pm, there will be a special screening in Gardenia Court of the documentary “Revenge of the Electric Car.” This film follows four auto-entrepreneurs during three years as they race to reinvent the electric car and become industry leaders.  

Certified 73 per cent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes it is considered “Riveting … highly entertaining” by Vanity Fair and the San Francisco Chronicle had this to say: “The movie is interesting now and, given its subject, should even be more interesting in about a hundred years. Stick around.” 

On Friday, 20 April, the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism will be hosting the Living Green Fair from 11am to 6pm on the lawns of the Governor’s house. The objective is to expose the public to green initiatives and products available on the island that people can adopt as part of their daily routine both at home and at the workplace. 

One of the highlights of the day will be when the entries for the Disney Planet Challenge 2012 are showcased. This challenge is an environmental tourism awareness building programme for students under 17 years of age. The winning project entitled “Save the Wetlands” will be on display and a presentation will be made by its creators – the Year 6 class of Triple C School. 

For more information on the Living Green Fair, contact Jessica Pawlik at Department of Tourism e-mail: jpawlik@caymanislands.ky