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UT EcoCAR Team, East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition Team Up for Pregame Event

UT’s EcoCAR 3 team and the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition are partnering for a tailgating event prior to UT’s game with Ohio on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

As part of a celebration of National Drive Electric week, the event will give the public a chance to learn about alternate-fuel vehicles, UT’s EcoCAR program, and sustainable energy.

“This is a great opportunity for people to learn more about the next generation of vehicles and ask any questions they might have about them or the technology behind them,” said Emily King, a UT senior who serves as the EcoCAR 3 communications manager.

The event starts at 8:00 a.m. Saturday at Gate 21 and will run until the game’s noon kickoff.

It’s part of national and state efforts to bring a focus to the advantages of electric vehicles and is tied to similar efforts from Kingsport to Memphis.

While fuel prices are lower now than in recent years, the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition pointed out that sales of electric vehicles and the number of charging stations around the state both continue to grow.

“Each site will have experts on hand who can discuss vehicle charging options as well as what equipment is available nearby for public recharging,” said Jonathan Overly, executive director of the coalition. “In addition to those options, most drivers charge their vehicles at home, increasing the flexibility of the car’s use.”

The East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition began in 2002 with the support of state leaders, local businesses, and various groups.

UT’s EcoCAR 3 team is its latest entry in the twenty-six-year US Department of Energy’s Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions. The program gives engineering students the chance to design and build advanced vehicles that demonstrate leading-edge eco-friendly automotive technologies, while business and communications students develop marketing and public relations strategies.

C O N T A C T :

David Goddard (865-974-0683, david.goddard@utk.edu)