There are all kinds of things to consider when standing at the “Portal to the Future” and pondering what is to come. One question is, how are we going to get there? . . . Not only in the philosophical, social, and political sense, but also in the physical sense, i.e., how are we going to get around?
It seems certain now that electric vehicles (EVs) will be playing an important role in our lives. The technology behind EVs and the number and variety of makes and models is improving and increasing rapidly. To be sure, new technology brings challenges, issues, and problems that will need to be solved, but the promise of reduced emissions, less dependency on fossil fuels (with their inherent environmental and political problems), and a chance to make progress in the fight against human-caused climate change make EVs an intriguing and likely important part of the solution.
E-Bikes and full size Electric cars, such as this Chevy Volt, are becoming common. Battery technology has advanced by leaps and bounds, and Massachusetts still has incentives for owning or leasing a variety of makes and models of brand new EVs. You can find an electric vehicle discount program that makes going electric easier for you.
This Chevy Volt powered the Renewable Energy tent in 2019.
With that in mind, the G&A Festival once again will put on a display of EVs that are locally owned and operated, thanks to the generosity of several of our friends and neighbors who have already taken this step into the future. We will have a variety of fully electric vehicles for you to see, with a different set during each of four periods (Saturday and Sunday mornings and afternoons). Owners will be standing by to answer some of the most frequently asked questions (like, how far can it go, how long does it take to charge, what is it like driving one) and describe their experiences as EV owners. Folks will be able to see Priuses, Teslas, Chevy Bolts, a Rivian, a Ford Lightning truck, a 1985 John Deere tractor (that once ran on fossil fuel but now has a new life with a set of lithium batteries), and more! Below you will find the schedule of the vehicles and their owners and you can download it here.
In addition to the vehicles and owners below there will be other EV items for display including various lawn and yard maintenance equipment. And don’t forget the Electric Bicycles that will also be available for you to experience. North Quabbin Energy’s Brian Nugent will bring his new invention – an E-bike he has made with “attachments” that can easily transform the bike into a truck, bike-with-trailer or other ingenious, easy-to-deploy iterations.
There is also a tour. Are you interested in how electrical power is made and distributed at the Garlic and Arts Festival? Organizer Steve Kurkoski will be covering solar/battery, vehicle to load, vehicle to vehicle systems as well as the grid. Take a tour on Saturday or Sunday at 1PM. Meet up with Steve at the EV tent (the big blue and white one) in the Portal.
Electric Vehicle Schedule
*Providing power to a festival event.
| Day and Time | Vehicle | Owner(s) |
| All Weekend |
1985 John Deere Model 1050 – Tractor Conversion | Mark Fellows |
| Pontoon Boat | Dave Small | |
| 2023 Rivian Pickup R1T* | Sam Scherer | |
| 2023 Ford Ecoboost Hybrid Pickup* | Terry Bucci & Annie Diemand | |
| 2023 Rivian SUV R15* | Sophie Shrand & Brendan Mulhern | |
| Saturday 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM | 2020 Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor | Max Feldman |
| 2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid Pickup | Richard Gallo | |
| 2021 Hyundai Kona |
Bob Rueter |
|
| 2023 Chevrolet Bolt | Doug Wessel | |
| Saturday 1:30 – 4:30 PM | 2019 Chevrolet Bolt |
Sally Wright |
| 2022 Tesla Model Y |
Claire Chang & John Ward |
|
| 2023 Ford Lightning Pickup (Red) |
Lee Gersch |
|
| 2018 Chevrolet Bolt | Peter Falabella | |
| Sunday 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM | 2023 Hyundai Kona | Shannan Leelyn |
| 2015 Fiat 500 | Claire Chang & John Ward | |
| Sunday 1:30 – 4:30 PM | 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV | Brad Compton |
| 2022 Ford Mustang Mach E | Marc Dauphinais | |
| 2022 VW ID4 AWD | Stefan Maier |
