Dayton mayor to test drive a Volt

Dayton Mayor — and Ohio gubernatorial candidate —Nan Whaley will be driving a Chevrolet Volt for a week to highlight electric vehicles and environmental issues.

The Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce and Clean Fuels Ohio are hosting a public event at the Book Factory in Dayton Monday afternoon so Whaley can discuss what a news release calls “her sustainability vision for the region and the state.”

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It’s scheduled to happen at a news conference at the Book Factory, a producer of notebooks and logbooks off Edwin C. Moses Boulevard near the University of Dayton Arena. Stephanie Precht, director of public Policy and economic development for the chamber; Sam Spofforth, executive director of Clean Fuels Ohio; and Andrew Gilmore, owner of the Book Factory, are scheduled to be on hand.

The event will also feature an electric vehicle charging demonstration, the release said.

The event begins at 4:30 p.m. at 2302 S Edwin C Moses Blvd.

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According to Clean Fuels Ohio, U.S. sales of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) are up 69 percent in the span of January to April 2017 compared to the same span in 2016. Chevrolet Volt deliveries in the U.S. reached 1,807 units in April, a drop of 8.9 percent compared to 1,983 units sold in April 2016, according to General Motors.

According to InsideEVs.com, an estimated 16,568 plug-in vehicles were sold in May, a 44.5 percent gain over the 11,467 sold a year ago and a May record.

Precht said the Book Factory provides a pair of EV charging stations for its employees. Such stations and the vehicles themselves are becoming more plentiful, she said.

“It’s really to highlight the growth of the electric vehicle industry,” she said of Monday’s event. “We are hopefully getting the community ready to see more of these charging stations around.”

A message seeking comment was left with a Clean Fuels Ohio representative.

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