A Tesla Model S has driven more than half way across North America. Tina Thomas and Peter Soukup left Portland, Oregon, on December 25 and their last tweet, posted twenty hours ago, states “And into Alabama as the sun sets :).” They are expected to reach New York City by January 7th or 8th.
They picked up a friend close to LA. Ruba Loytburd wrote, “This was my first day on Electric Road Trip S, but day 5 for Tina and Peter. After leaving Erin and Dave’s (thanks again, guys!) we headed out to Tesla’s supercharger at Hawthorn CA for a quick charging “top off.” A supercharger charges up the battery to full in about an hour as an opposed to about 8 hours on regular 50amp stove outlet. So I started out the trip pretty spoiled.”
Peder Norby’s interest in renewable energy goes back to his wind powered home in Denmark. Even then, Peder knew that someday he would drive an electric vehicle. In 2005, he and Julie built a 4,600 square house, overlooking the Agua Hedionda Lagoon in Carlsbad. Peder wanted a cheaper form of transportation, powered by sunshine. Julie was more concerned that it be dependable, comfortable and fun to drive. They installed 21 solar panels on the roof and a year later bought their first EV. Like most first time EV owners, they assumed it would be necessary to hang on to their “gas car.” That proved to be true until 2009, when Peder bought a BMW Mini E. As a County of San Diego Planning Commissioner, he drives all over the county, but found the Mini E was taking care of all his needs. His gas car just sat in the garage. So he sold it.
