Illinois' 1st electric vehicle cruise-in June 8 in Atlanta

[March 02, 2013]  ATLANTA -- The Route 66 community of Atlanta is hosting Illinois' first electric vehicle cruise-in on June 8. All electric and hybrid cars are invited. The event is free and open to the public to check out some EV cars and learn more about how the Mother Road is working to give birth to a new travel infrastructure.

The commissioning of Route 66 in 1926 helped develop the gas and service stations that we take for granted today. Back then, however, these fixtures of the highway didn't exist. If you wanted gas for your new automobile, you had to go to the local hardware or grocery store, where you'd find a single gas pump the owner had put in to earn a little extra cash. With the huge increase in automobile traffic created by Route 66, the need for businesses dedicated solely to serving the traveling public arose -- and service stations were born.

Now another kind of transportation infrastructure needs to be developed: charging stations for electric vehicles. Atlanta, along the original Mother Road, is interested in helping other Route 66 communities discover how to better serve the traveling public that will be searching not for a pump, but a plug-in.

At the EV cruise-in, there will be space for 40-plus vehicles. Two Level 2 Eaton charging stations will be available by advance reservation with no fee. In addition, 16 Level 1 charging stations will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, also at no fee.

While in Atlanta, visitors can stop at the Palms Grill Café for a piece of blue-ribbon homemade pie, tour the J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum, get their picture taken with the Bunyon Giant, pick up a Route 66 souvenir at the Gunnar Mast Trading Post, have a cheeseburger at Chubby's, visit the Atlanta Museum, enjoy a cold one at The Korner, buy some homemade candy or a one-of-a-kind item at the Arch Street Artisans shop, then stroll around and see the assembled cruise-in cars.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in historic downtown Atlanta and will include vintage music, food, a 50-50 drawing and hourly drawings.

Overnight accommodations are available at the Atlanta Route 66 Inn, 217-648-2322.

The EV cruise-in is sponsored by the Atlanta Betterment Fund.

For more information or to make advance reservations to use a Level 2 charger, contact Bill Thomas, Atlanta Betterment Fund, P.O. Box 166, Atlanta, IL 61723; [e-mail]; or 217-648-5077.

[Text from file received from Bill Thomas, Atlanta Betterment Fund]