New member Vicki Kording

Our newest 2020 Tesla M3 LRD owner is Vicki Kording from Colorado Springs, CO. Please make her welcome when you meet her!

New member Tiffany Lachnidt

Tiffany Lachnidt is our newest member, joining today, with a 2019 Tesla Model X. She lives in Colorado Springs, CO - please make her welcome!

New member Melissa Howland

Just in time for 2019 is our newest member, Melissa Howland. She drives a 2018 Tesla Model S and lives in Colorado Springs, CO. Please make her welcome!

Updates to our mailing list!

The CSEVC has been operating for about 5 years now, both with our CSEVC.COM blog and a Facebook page. In that time we’ve had many new members! As the Administrator of our club, I’ve noticed that our records may be out of date for many of you, and that many of you may not be receiving our electronic newsletters.

In order to protect your email address when contacting you, we use a BCC: (blind carbon copy) feature of most email systems. This means that other recipients cannot see your email address. Unfortunately, this also means that our message may be interpreted as spam when you receive it. One of the things some email systems look for is a large number of BCC: recipients; if they see it, they categorize the message as spam and send the message to a folder on your computer. Unless you regularly check your spam folder you may never get our messages. I am, this time only, using your direct email address for just a few addresses at a time.

In return for making sure you want our information and can receive it, I’d like to ask a few things:

1)      Please check your spam folder and see if any of our past broadcast messages have been sent there. If so, please “whitelist” my email address of WHitchings DOT tablet AT gmail DOT com so that our future messages aren’t classified as spam.

2)      Please decide if you want our information sent to you. If you have no use for our newsletter, or simply don’t participate in the club anymore, do nothing. I will be removing non-responders to this message by February 1, 2020 (see below).

3)      Please review your listing on our club’s membership page ( http://www.csevc.com/p/member-listing_10.html ) for accuracy. Several of our members are listed as “Model xxx ordered”. Contact me directly with any updates to your listing.

Note that unless I hear from you by February 1, 2020, I will remove your listing from our rolls, both club member and newsletter. I know this sounds harsh, but the growing amount of time required to make and send electronic emails certainly is worth knowing that our members both want, and receive, our communications.

Thanks for everything, 2020 looks to be a busy year! The club may be looking at some short, perhaps overnight, trips next year (please suggest some locations). Potential destinations are Moab (Arches National Park), club member’s solar setups, Yosemite National Park, etc.

-Wilson Hitchings

New EV Trip Destinations Page!

We had quite a few suggestions on EV car club trips for 2020! Please take a look at our new "Car Club Travel Destinations" page ( http://www.csevc.com/p/blog-page.html ) ! I'll update it as time goes on with more information. Feel free to comment!

-Wilson Hitchings

New member Roberto Belli

Please welcome Roberto Belli from Colorado Springs, CO. He drives a 2019 Chevy Bolt. Make him welcome!

Delivery Day at Littleton

Thanks to all the Tesla owners that volunteered to assist with vehicle delivery! It was very busy on Saturday, with a showroom goal of delivering 130 cars to new owners! I don't know if they made their goal, but there were lots of volunteers to help with new car orientation.

New member Trevin Wecks

Our newest member is Trevin Wecks from Colorado Springs, CO. He drives a 2015 Smart TwoFour. Please make him welcome!

Help deliver Teslas in 2019!

It looks like Tesla in Denver could use some volunteers to orientate new owners with their cars. This weekend and next you can go to the Denver (Littleton) showroom and talk to new owners. Feel free to sign up using Sean Mitchell's spreadsheet to volunteer:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18e6glDa8EKVHuvBQDCvs8020pYELZPKROGcr90jvdO0/edit?fbclid=IwAR25OlgMyjy3fFb9UpzZb83ILm2rxt3XVP5HGMyQEih4w5bZz1TbO2jTqmU#gid=0

Chevy Bolt cooling system revealed

In case you have a Chevy Bolt, or are curious how the vehicle's systems are cooled, here's an informative video about it: https://youtu.be/_ILkLUE3Zxc .

The EV pickup market is hot!

I had no idea how many EV pickup trucks are planned/proposed:

https://youtu.be/8cJ-X0MGomE

News of the COS Supercharger

Our club members, Marty & Gayle Butley, visited the now-famous Colorado Springs Supercharger yesterday. Their comment:

On another note - we stopped to charge at the Colorado Springs supercharger after the Christmas party.  Lot was full due to the parade of lights.  There was an attendant turning people away, but of course us Tesla owners had reserved spaces and they let us in.  They told us that Tesla had not paid their bill with the parking structure for over a year.  I have read of similar cases on the internet.  In any event, they said payment in full has been received, and the signs will be coming down in a week.

Marty

Holiday Party!

December 7, 2019 - Saturday, 3:00pm - The annual Holiday Party is the first Saturday in December this year. The venue is Golden Corral Buffet Restaurant, 1970 Waynoka Road, Colorado Springs, 80915. BUFFET:  No need to RSVP.  Just show up!  If the weather is bad, well, we will worry about that later.  We will be in the WAY-BACK (far West) room.  Be there or be square!

Congrats on the new EV!

One of our first members, Tom Preble, has sold his Leaf and bought a new 2019 Chevy Bolt EV. Congrats on the upgrade, Tom!

Welcome Marvin Lee!

Our latest new member is Marvin Lee from Colorado Springs, CO. He drives a 2016 Tesla Model S, let's hope he makes it to the 2019 Holiday Party to meet all of us!

Welcome, Marvin!

New Tesla Cybertruck ride-along

What's it like to ride in the Tesla Cybertruck? Find out here.

New member John Ratcliff

John Ratcliff is our latest new member. He lives in Woodland Park, CO and drives a 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport 2.5 and a 2018 Tesla Model S 100D. John moved here from the St. Louis area and look forward to attending some events. He sent a photograph from the Midwest Tesla Gathering in St. Louis a few years ago. His Roadster is front and center.

Please make him welcome when you see him.

New Member Brad Quicksall

Our newest member is Brad Quicksall from Colorado Springs. He drives an electric Hyundai Kona. One of our club members saw him on the road and he told him about the club! Keep spreading the word, folks. Please make him welcome when you meet him.

Battery backup - EGO Nexus

Many EV owners have converted lawn equipment from gasoline to electric. I've seen several reviews by EV YouTubers that have sold their gas appliances and converted to electric, most with good opinions of the equipment. One such maker, EGO, now sells a battery backup (inverter) unit that uses the same battery packs as their yard equipment. This is very versatile as you can take advantage of your energy storage for multiple purposes. Here's a review of their unit I found online:

https://youtu.be/hYNiFuvlzNU

New member Gary Glass

Our newest member, Gary Glass, joined us today. He drives a 2019 Tesla Model 3 and lives in Colorado Springs. Please make him welcome!

A bit of history....

This is an old video clip, but it shows the advantages of electric vehicles:

https://youtu.be/OhnjMdzGusc

Holiday Party, Dec. 7, Saturday

December 7, 2019 - Saturday, 3:00pm or 4:00pm - The annual Holiday Party is the first Saturday in December this year. Exact time and venue to be announced. No RSVP, just show up. Details will be announced when they become available, reserve the date!

EV charging in China

A friend of mine, Tom Croak, is visiting China and sent me this:

"We were in Tianjin China visiting a temple and found where the employees park their electric bicycles and electric scooters. We saw these electric scooters all over town, some quite old. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had lead acid batteries.

The weird looking things on some of the handle bars are similar to coats that protect the rider’s hands and chest area from the cold."

Tom also sent a photo of a Neo in China. These are sold as the British MG brand, and are getting good reviews from UK owners. The USA needs to stay at the top of its game!

-Wilson Hitchings

A Tesla hits 400,000 miles!

Thanks to Peter Larsen for the link:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.tesloop.com/blog/2018/7/16/tesloops-tesla-model-s-surpasses-400000-miles-643737-kilometers%3fformat=amp

Our first club movie & dinner!

It's official! Our first club movie. Feel free to attend this Sunday, Oct. 27. The movie is "The Current War: Director's Cut" that dramatizes Edison vs. Tesla. Please pre-buy your own tickets for the 4:05pm showing from the Cinemark Theater in Colorado Springs, CO at the First & Main Theaters on Powers Blvd (Carefree & IMAX). We'll go to the movie and then all decide on dinner after the movie. I vote either Bird Dog's BBQ up the road, or one of the many restaurants at the theater complex. No RSVP needed, just buy your ticket(s) if you want to go. See you there!

https://www.cinemark.com/colorado/cinemark-carefree-circle-and-imax

New member, Sherdell Sims

Sherdell Sims lives in Aurora, CO and drives a 2012 Chevy volt. Make him welcome!

Dan and his travels...

Dan "Rocket Man" Rosenblatt, a long-time club member, is traveling in is Performance Model S from Maryland to Denver today (10/21/2019) to Wednesday (maybe). If you'd like to follow his travel progress, check out his Glympse link: http://glympse.com/!soundofsilence

Club Clothing

Several club members have asked about tee shirts, caps and hoodies with the club logo on it (thanks, Chaz Clark, for designing our logo).

I am busy researching companies that will print out logo on a durable, high quality shirt. The printer also has to let us sell the design by name (meaning you can find it on their website), and let you buy it directly, at any time without a minimum purchase, and sent directly to you.

You might be surprised how difficult it can be to get all those requirements from one company. We tried selling shirts previously, but that meant we had to post a minimum quantity to buy, and had to have a date when the offer was finalized and the items printed/shipped.

Note that when we finally find a printer, CSEVC will not make any income from the sale of any items. It's just for club members to have our logo on items they want. We've had many suggestions for printers / suppliers, and we're going through them when we can.

More information will be posted when it becomes available.

-Wilson Hitchings

New energy cell tech from the UK...

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7592485/Father-eight-invents-electric-car-battery-drivers-1-500-miles-without-charging-it.html?fbclid=IwAR04BF1zLREz8llwT57w4qGbgroNQl43pCGr5_YMUPQkqp57V-RzuZricKQ

Don't mess with a Tesla!

Here's a brief video of Tesla vandals, and the consequences for their actions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-ct5x74K-E&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0NnLLWhYJxaIa2A4XsFH3V_J7CMxE3NX3OEKiNXKa96o-w3O_Uyal6ebI&app=desktop

REOCA Solar and EV event in Pueblo West, CO

James Harrell sent me this notice of an event this upcoming week at the Pueblo West Library in Pueblo, CO. on October 15, 2019.

And someone is at it again...

Someone explain this behavior...

https://www.teslaincanada.ca/news/help-identify-suspect-in-keying-of-model-3-in-surrey-caught-on-sentry-mode/

Thanks from Chaz Clark!

To All:

“Thank you to everyone who came out to support Vista Ridge High School! I think it turned out to be a great event for our first time around (despite the unexpected wind chill!)

We had 98 cars & trucks and gave away prizes for 10 categories! We still do not know how much was raised yet, but hopefully we will soon.

Thanks again!”

Chaz

Vandalism unexplained

Why?  https://denver.cbslocal.com/2019/09/29/be-a-better-person-surveillance-video-shows-woman-keying-tesla/

Mac McCauley wins award!

Mac McCauley won the Best EV award at last week's NDEW event...congrats!

Welcome Marty Scholes!

Our newest member is Marty Scholes from Colorado Springs, CO. He has a Nissan Leaf. Make him welcome!

Welcome Peter Larsen

Our newest member isn't electric yet, but perhaps soon. Please welcome Peter Larsen from Peyton, CO!

1st Annual Vista Ridge High School Car show

October 5, 2010 - Saturday, noon - 4:00pm - 1st Annual Vista Ridge High School Car show. There will not be a fixed price to show a car – it will be donation only. There will be several classes to compete in and there will be prizes for each class. Also, if anyone would like to rent a vendor spot, it will be $50 (contact me for details). There is no admission costs for spectators. There is an online registration via our website but, unfortunately, there is no legal way for us to take donations ahead of time electronically. There will be music, food trucks, car displays, vendors, and the cheerleaders will be doing live demonstrations. The website is https://www.vistaridgecheerleading.com/ .

New review of the Mercedes EQ-C

This video channel is one that I follow, and they just reviewed the new Mercedes EQ-C. The reviewer (James) is a Tesla Model S owner, a makes some interesting observations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAvFTpWq3cw

Tesla Model 3 gets the nod from police over cost and performance, bye bye Dodge Charger

The Bargersville, Indiana, Police Department is updating its fleet to Tesla Model 3 vehicles after they figured out that they will save a lot of money on gas and they don't compromise performance compared to their Dodge Chargers. We are starting to see Tesla vehicles becoming quite popular with police departments all over the world....

Read in Electrek: https://apple.news/AViqInupDShanXNNibQik4g

New member Rick Warner-May!

Please welcome Rick Warner-May to our club. He has a 2013 Nissan Leaf and lives in Colorado Springs. Welcome, Rick!

I'm baaack!

To all our members:

I apologize for the lack of blog updates, I've been on vacation for two weeks. The regular and highly anticipated slew of updates and new member announcements can continue.

After I go through my work in-box.

-Wilson Hitchings

Don't forget the Pueblo NDEW!

This message just went out to our mailing list recipients:

I am forwarding this to you FYI. Those from the CSEVC who will be attending this NDEW event in Pueblo West on the 14th of September should register (RSVP) at https://driveelectricweek.org/event.php?eventid=1942 so the organizers will have a number and EV models that will be attending. 

Yes, I'm abusing my power as Admin...

This has nothing to do with electric cars, but DANG I just met William Shatner (ComicCon 2019).
-Wilson Hitchings

It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's...

...Superbottle!  https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-3-superbottle-disruption-video/?fbclid=IwAR3W5kv9h17E6cSmRnRkis_S0K44SPLSnAXXHUy8mbPN6kQ5VDrJ0EJ3FPM

New member Nick Sabatello

Please make Nick Sabatello welcome when you meet him. He lives in Colorado Springs, CO and has a Tesla Model 3 Performance.

New contact form!

I have updated our "Join the club!" page to now use a Google Form rather than rely on an email link. This should make it easier to join us on any computer/browser. Previously, you had to have an email program linked on your local computer. Many public computers and tablets don't have such a service, so hopefully we'll get more people to join.
-Wilson Hitchings
CSEVC Website Admin

New member Sean Helzer

Sean Helzer is our newest member from Colorado Springs. He has a Tesla Model 3 SP and met some of our club members at the recent CSU event. Make him welcome when you see him!

Club meeting this Saturday!

General Club Meeting:  We need to have another general club meeting!  How about Saturday, August 24?  We normally try to meet at the Garden of the Gods Trading Post during the winter, but I called them and on Aug 24, they are still too busy with thousands of tourists.  Therefore, let’s meet at the same place we met at last time, The Big Train Restaurant.  Here is their address:  808 Garden of the Gods Rd., Colorado Springs.  It is near the intersection of Garden of the Gods Blvd. and Forge St.  Todd, the owner, said it is better if we start at 1PM rather than noon.  SO:  Let’s show up sometime after noon, and hang out for awhile!  Park to the rear of the parking lot in a group.  Sometime after 1PM, we will go in and eat.  It will be over when it is over.  Purple car Elizabeth says they will be there this time.  Come hang out with fellow EV enthusiasts!  Be there or be square!  

Take a charging survey!

I received this message via email, see if you can help:
======================================
To the Colorado Springs EV Club:

This is Stefi Mitova- I'm a PhD student at the University of Colorado Boulder, working on electric vehicles and solar energy.

In order to learn more about EV charging behavior, I created a survey. May I please ask you if you have means of sharing this link with EV owners? https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QTLXNQM

I'd greatly appreciate it and it would be very beneficial to my work.

I will of course share the results from the survey and my PhD dissertation simulations when I am ready. 

Thank you once again!

Stefi 

NDEW date set for Colorado Springs, CO

A local National Drive Electric Week event has been set for Colorado Springs, CO.

https://driveelectricweek.org/event.php?eventid=2062

National Drive Electric Week - Colorado Springs

Day:	Saturday, September 21, 2019
Time:	9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Location:	RJW Academic Campus - North Parking Lot 2115 Afton Way Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Map link: https://goo.gl/maps/AXRnXqzqueHffRxCA

Detailed review of the MG ZS

The "James and Kate" YouTube channel does practical reviews of EVs. The video below is a week-long review of the new MG ZS electric vehicle. Per a previous mention of the vehicle, this is Chinese made and of good quality. Every time an American car manufacturer delays EVs, every time the oil & gas industry impedes the adoption of EVs, the Chinese catch up and may surpass our car manufacturing ability. Those two industries don't care about anything other than today's profits, and killing the competition. I hope American car makers start looking beyond this quarter's profit statement realize how far behind they really are...

https://youtu.be/T4xOMHblj8A

The trip to Longmont, CO

We want to extend our thanks to Marty & Gayle Butley for opening their home to our club. Over 20 club members made the drive to Longmont, CO (near Boulder, CO) to have a luncheon and learn about their 20kW solar array. Thanks, Marty & Gayle!

Ed Post kindly sent us some photos of our trip:

New member Nathan James

Our newest member is Nathan James. He has a 2019 Tesla Model 3 SR+ and is from Colorado Springs, CO. Please make him welcome!

Correction: Longmont trip on Saturday

To all attending the trip to Longmont, CO to view a solar farm: the recent reminder message contained a typo - we are departing Park Meadows Mall to go to Longmont at 11:30am, not 10:30am as previously mentioned. Here's the correct schedule:

Arrive Monument McDonalds at 9:30am (if you want), then depart for Park Meadows SC at 10:00am.

Arrive at Park Meadows SC at 11:00am, depart for Longmont, CO at 11:30am.

Sorry for the confusion. With high traffic anticipated on I-25 going North, I suggest we take Hwy. 83 to Park Meadows from Monument, but each to his own!

First non-Porsche person to drive the Taycan

From Fully Charged, one of my favorite channels on EVs, is testing the Porsche Taycan:

https://youtu.be/TP9kokeyxGU

They're lying to us!

I actually don't think so, but let's see if our CSU members read this....

The graphic below appeared in the CSU (Colorado Springs Utilities) newsletter, mailed out for July 2019. I was surprised by the percentages shown. I would not have guessed that your refrigerator/freezer takes as much energy as home heating. How can this be? Home heating conditions air for several thousands of square feet; a refrigerator is barely a few square feet and better insulated than your typical home...

New member Kevin Yu

Our newest member, Kevin Yu,  owns an automotive coating/wrap/window film company in Colorado Springs. Some of our members have used him, so feel free to check him out for those services. Here's his message to me:

==========================================

My name is Kevin Yu. I own Auto Film Solutions which is a local business here in Colorado Springs! 

We have done work with many Tesla’s and quite a few members of your club! They had mentioned we should touch base with the group.

We offer window film, paint protection film, ceramic coatings, vehicle wraps, and paintless dent repair. We are also the only shop in town that stocks every shade in dyed, ceramic, and nano ceramic window films in the width for Tesla Model 3 rear windshields and Tesla Model X front windshields. We are the only authorized and certified shop to install Hexis Bodyfence PPF AND Xpel protective films. We are certified with Xpel Fusion ceramic coatings and Ceramic Pro ceramic coatings. Our window film line is offered by Xpel as well. We carry their standard and most premium films here. 

We would like to offer 15% off any service with membership to the club.

Take a Survey!

If you went to the Sustain-A-Fest last month, feel free to take a survey!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G3XVYX6

Old Colorado City show in 2 weeks!

Here's a great show to attend, it's all day, rain or shine, and we have club members going:

https://mailchi.mp/cfa8c932cbe1/the-old-colorado-city-car-show-is-only-2-weeks-away?e=cc5aed0b95

Safety is important!

Thanks to our club members, Mike & Mary Ann Witter, for the notice of a car crash involving a Tesla in Colorado Springs this past week. Our club President, Mac McCauley, did some research on the event. You never know when you'll need the safety a Tesla gives you!
=================

Incident Date July 24, 2019

Time 13:49:00

Sand Creek -- Shift I Division Traffic Crash

N. Academy Blvd. and E. Bijou St.

On the above date and time the Colorado Springs Police Department was notified of a three car crash in the intersection of N. Academy Blvd. and E. Bijou St. Upon officers arrival, it was discovered that 6 of the 8 occupants of the three vehicles were injured and needed medical treatment. All were subsequently taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The Major Crash Team responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.

The investigation revealed an eastbound Tesla was attempting to turn northbound at the intersection when it was struck by a Ford sedan which was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of Academy Blvd. The Ford then caromed into a Mercedes which was westbound on Bijou, attempting to turn southbound onto Academy Blvd.

It was determined the driver of the Ford, 29 year old Michael A. Tucker of Colorado Springs was impaired. He was subsequently placed into custody for Vehicular Assault, DUI, and other charges. Although some of the occupants of the involved vehicles were seriously injured, none of the injuries are considered life threatening.

The intersection was closed during the investigation and re-opened at approximately 5:55 PM.

Adults Arrested Michael A. Tucker

Sustain-A-Fest a very busy place!

Thanks to all our club members who exhibited their EVs at Sustain-A-Fest in Acacia Park, Colorado Springs this past Saturday. I was surprised at two things: 1) how many club members showed up to exhibit their cars, and 2) the interest in our cars by visitors.

James Harrell supplied the tent for the club, which made being outside in our brilliant sunshine a better experience. Thanks to all our members willing to talk to folks interested in EVs in general. I can tell you I was almost constantly answering questions about EVs (the typical questions), but it wasn't from a perspective that EVs don't work, aren't practical, etc. It was curiosity and absolutely no pre-disposition to think electrics are 50 years away in general use. I think several of our club members "sold" some EVs. I know I "sold" a Model X (camping couple) and a Nissan Leaf (small family).

-Wilson Hitchings

A note about Sustain-A-Fest next weekend, July 27

To the CSEVC Club members who have indicated an interest in attending this event on July 27:

We, (the club) have decided that assigning time slots to individual attendees is too complex.  We now have 8 parking spaces for this event.  That’s quite a lot for a all day event, (noon to 7PM).  Therefore, here is what we will do:  Wilson will show up early to set up and get organized.  I (Mac) will show up later to finish up the event.  That way, someone does not have to be there the whole darn day!  We have 8 parking spots located on Tejon St, BASICALLY across the street from Jose Muldoon’s.  These are diagonal parking spots.  We will make sure someone else does not park in our spots.  When you show up, WHENEVER you show up, you can park in any open space of ours.  IF, just IF, all spots are full, just drive by and give us a shout.  Very likely, someone is getting tired and wants to go.  Then, you can have their spot.  That is only if the event is full, which is unlikely for most of the day. 

Looking forward to a great event!  Come see us!

Mac

China can now make a good EV

One of the things I argue about concerning EVs is that the USA had better keep the lead in manufacturing or pretty soon we'll all be driving Chinese cars. Traditional car makers don't care, they want to keep the cash rolling in as long as possible TODAY even if they can't see the new market tomorrow.

It's long been assumed that Chinese products were poorly made, especially complex products like  automobiles. We also thought that of South Korean automobiles, too, but now look at Hyundai and Kia.

The following review from a YouTube channel I subscribe to shows a new EV from MG. Note how much the reviewer raves over the fit & finish of the car. At the very end we discover it's made in China, for import as a classic British brand (MG).

US car makers better get on the EV bandwagon, or Shanghai will be getting your money the next time you buy a car...

https://youtu.be/LXEtN17xy7s

-Wilson H

OK, I'm confused...

Thanks to Scott Athey for the link, but now I'm confused...I thought Ford was investing in Rivian so they could rebadge their trucks as Ford's...'sup?

https://www.engadget.com/2019/07/12/ford-vw-electric-meb-argo-ai-cars/

https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/feu/gb/en/news/2019/07/12/ford-_-volkswagen-expand-their-global-collaboration-to-advance-a-UK.html

CSU Summer Celebration

Two club members, James Harrell and Tom Michel, attended the CSU Summer Celebration show today. Both sent photos - thanks guys!