8
Community
January 4 – 17, 2014
www.SanTanSun.com
INTEL FROM PAGE 1
distances and volume of demand for chargers to charging and parking habits. The chargers are also inexpensive. Intel footed the bill to install the units and charges only for the electricity, without any additional fee. It’s a low enough price that Sedler says one of the biggest challenges is that demand is higher than expected—busy Intel workers will plug in and go to work for the day. Needing an open space when someone’s already charging might be a problem until (as some hope) electric cars are adopted on a larger scale— but that’s one thing that the small community of electric vehicle owners at the company can discuss. David Carrington, a software engineer at Intel and owner of a 2013 all-electric Ford Focus, says the group of electric vehicle owners at Intel have met a few times and maintain a list of who at the company owns and drives electric cars. That comes in handy for everything from finding out who can make a charger available for someone in need to discussing their electric vehicles and educating others. “There are a lot of misconceptions about electric vehicles,” Carrington says. “They’re actually a whole lot of fun to drive, because they have a lot of torque and they can be very quick cars. It’s just a very smooth drive, no gear shifting, no winding up of the little engine. It’s actually just a really nice drive and you don’t have the exhaust and the fumes,
FORD FOCUS: David Carrington, a member of the group of Intel electric vehicle owners, displayed his all-electric 2013 Ford Focus during National Plug In Day Sept. 29 in Scottsdale. Photo courtesy David Carrington
no trips to the gas station.” Installing chargers at the Intel campus made it easier for those who were considering going electric but were worried about the range, he says. “As soon as Intel put them there, that means that some people who maybe couldn’t have made it on a charge can now make it there, charge there, and then go home, so the radius of electric cars from the Intel facility is larger.” Sedler agrees, saying that while he doesn’t have hard data on Chandler yet, he did receive several emails after
Intel installed chargers at each of its campuses around the country, thanking the company for supporting sustainable options or saying that they made it easier to decide to go electric. When the chargers were unveiled, several vehicle owners from the group brought their cars to show anyone with questions what the cars are all about. “Ford Focus, the (Nissan) Leaf and the Tesla; they’re fully electric cars. Owning one of these or driving one of these, your often educating people that really have no idea what it’s all about,” he says.
Carrington lists benefits such as not paying for fuel, opting for a vehicle that’s not reliant on foreign oil, tax credits and even access to the HOV lane as perks, in addition to driving a cleaner car and “supporting the movement.” He says that while he still drives a truck for long trips and hauling, he’s able to put many more miles on his Focus, cutting down on maintenance. He adds that many electric vehicle owners naturally form communities of the sort that Intel has fostered, often sharing even home chargers and comparing notes on the emerging technology. Apps for smartphones even tell users where chargers are and if they’re ready to be used. Ultimately, Sedler looks forward to using both Intel’s practical business strategy and its support of environmentally friendly initiatives to stay at the head of the trend as drivers adopt electric vehicles. “We’re really watching it now, and we’re checking the adoptions, and we’ll keep developing based on what’s needed,” he says. Kimberly Hosey is the section editor for Community and Arts. She can be reached at kimberly@santansun.com.
PRIME Dental Care
WE DO IT ALL! GENERAL AND IMPLANT DENTISTRY. PRIME QUALITY CARE AT PRIME PRICES!
No insurance? No problem. We have solutions for your family, choose from: PRIME ONE
Preferred Plan Only need cleaning every 6 months?
FREE
(Regularly priced $129)
$29 Cleaning 2X Yr., Exam, X-rays (Regularly priced $129)
CROWN
$595
Tooth colored, non-metal Zirconia (Regularly priced $995)
IMPLANT
$1,495
$39/year Individual $89/year Family of Four
Limit 1. Exc ad. batteries. With14 Exp. 2-1-20
Corner of Dobson & Germann at the Pecos Shops
1900 W. Germann, Suite #15
480-883-3320 Hours: Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
COME VISIT CONNIE AT HER NEW LOCATION!
• $29 per cleaning • $0 emergency exam and x-rays • Up to 20% discount*
PRIME TWO
Serving your favorite pizza, pastas and more! Dine in or carry out.
Prime Plan
Need more extensive work? $99/year Individual $299/year Family of Four Based on special "Prime" fee schedule - Example Implant with abutment and crown - $1,495* Zirconia crown - $595* Cleaning - $29* Emergency exam and x-rays - $0*
Dental implant, abutment, Zirconia
480-786-8899
(Regularly priced $1,995)
2860 S. Alma School Rd., Ste. 26 • Chandler
Must be enrolled in prime or preferred plan to receive discounts.
Watc on & Instaludllesalithtiium
623-939-8335 8507 N. 51st Ave. • Glendale
1/2 OFF
EMERGENCY EXAM
9 $3h.9 Battery
Buy 1 pizza or entree and get the 2nd of equal or lesser value at 1/2 price! Please present coupon at time of order. One coupon per visit. Alcohol purchases not included. Not valid with any other specials. Offer expires 1-31-2014.
Catering and Banquet Room Call today!
480-812-8433 Banquet Room • Parties • Fundraisers Meetings • Groups • Large Gatherings
590 North Alma School Road • Located in the Granada Plaza
www.Floridinos.net