Sustainable Transportation In the News

Oregon’s role in the green energy movement was highlighted today by the advocacy group “Environment Oregon” at an electric car manufacturing company in Eugene. KLCC’s Rachael McDonald reports.

At Arcimoto in Eugene, the next generation of vehicles is in the works. They’re small, plug-in cars that run on electricity alone. Brock Howell with Environment Oregon says Arcimoto is ahead of the curve.

Howell: “Electric vehicles are being profiled in an unprecedented way at the North American International Auto Show. And while Detroit is scrambling, Eugene is manufacturing.”

Mark Frohnmayer co-founded the company. He says besides being ultra-efficient and clean, electric cars are part of the new economy.

Frohnmayer: Here in Lane County, we’ve witnessed the loss of literally thousands of vehicle manufacturing jobs. We see this opportunity of transportation electrification as being a chance to put people back to work building the transportation system of tomorrow.”

Frohnmayer says his company is working to get their vehicle, the Pulse, onto the market late in 2010.

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