National Transportation Week is a big deal for Richard Marks, president and chief engineer of Grosse Pointe-based EnVironmental Transportation Solutions. Marks is shopping his EcoV Electric cars to potential investors and drivers at four events throughout the week.
The EcoV is a street-legal vehicle with a 25-40 mile range. Marks points out that, if the vehicle can be charged with solar energy, "There is the potential for absolutely zero environmental impact." With a base price of less than $10,000, Marks is also hoping to appeal to consumers' bottom lines.
On Monday, he participated in a media "ride and drive" sponsored by NextEnergy. All major auto manufacturers had their alternative fuel vehicles at the event which, says Marks, "was a good opportunity for the press to be able to contrast EcoV against a lot of up-and-coming future technologies."
On Tuesday, EcoV made an appearance at the Energy Conference and Exhibition (more here).
EcoV's big dance was Wednesday, when Marks presented his business plan to the Great Lakes Angels investment group. Marks says, "This was really our first formal presentation to any significant investor." He has found that many area venture capital groups are more focused on biotech, life sciences, health care and IT, but sees the Angels as a group with a broader focus.
The Michigan Economic Development Corp. qualified EcoV as a company from which investors are eligible to receive a significant tax break on their future earnings.
Thursday, EcoV showed up at the Michigan Clean Fleet Conference (link to that story). Marks notes the importance of local municipalities exploring options such as the EcoV for uses such as parking enforcement. "Detroit is one of 20 locations in Michigan that does not meet air quality standards set by the EPA. EcoV can help be a great solution for that."
Marks says that an important step in the potential adoption of alternative fuel technology by the American public is understanding the need to place limits on consumption. "The point we want to drive home is that once an individual or a fleet decide they don't need to buy everything they want, but can downsize their needs for a specific application, that it is so cost-effective to own and operate. Buying less because you need less will be a major change in the American attitude—people don't buy what they need, they buy what they want. We need to work on that learning process."
Learn more about the EcoV from metromode's previous coverage.
Source: Richard Marks, EnVironmental Transportation Solutions
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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