NIPSCO, federal incentives drive electric car push

Matthew and Diana McAfee started breaking their dependence on gasoline when prices at the pump soared to more than $4 a gallon.

The Valparaiso residents say they each purchased a Toyota Prius electric crossover vehicles to make their trips around town and back and forth better for their pocketbooks and the environment.

"I get sick and tired of paying for gas," Matthew said. His first instinct was to purchase a motorcycle to get him back and forth from work. The bike got about 71 miles per gallon. "The Prius gets better gas mileage than the motorcycle."

Matthew then planned to build his own electric vehicle, a project Diana was not so sure would materialize.

"I still have the transmission in the garage," Diana laughed.

The couple wound up at a Merrillville Nissan dealer to learn about a program organized through South Shore Clean Cities and Midwest EVOLVE to introduce people to electric vehicles on Saturday. Midwest EVOLVE is a three-year program that partners with SSCC and Clean Cities organizations from seven states to hold events that provide a hands-on experience to test drive a variety of locally available electric vehicles.

The event highlighted an incentive partnership between the Northern Indiana Public Service Co. and the auto dealership that offers an up to $10,000 incentive to its NIPSCO customers and employees who purchase a Leaf through the dealership. That incentive is on top of an up to $7,500 federal tax credit on the purchase of an alternative fuel vehicle.

Ryan Lisek, with South Shore Clean Cities, said the partnership also helps promote NIPSCO's growing InCharge network, a series of EV charging stations throughout the company's service area. He said the availability of charging stations makes the purchase of an electric vehicle appealing to more motorists.

"We needed the infrastructure in place first," Lisek said.

The McAfees left the dealership Saturday to discuss their options, but were considering the purchase in part due to the incentives.

"You're helping the economy out and you're helping the environment," Matthew said.

Carrie Napoleon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.

Source: NIPSCO, federal incentives drive electric car push