Laguna Woods residents got a chance to learn about electric vehicles at an open house held by the Car Club in the parking lot of Clubhouse 5, where several owners showed off their electric-powered Teslas, Volkswagens, Chevy Volts and more.
While some visitors already owned EVs and expressed unwavering commitment to the technology, others were on the fence.
“We might be in the market, but not sure whether electric is the way to go,” said Bob Matonti, accompanied by his wife, Diane. “The thought of electric is still foreign to me. Diane and I still feel more secure in a gas station even though the cost of gasoline is ghastly.”
Among the concerns was whether electricity would prove as reliable a fuel as gasoline for longer trips, how soon EV charging stations might be as numerous as gas stations, and the lack of charging stations within Laguna Woods Village.
There were also concerns about the overall reliability of the electric grid, especially during summers when residents are asked to conserve power during peak hours.
Paul Kratzer, president of the Car Club, is behind the EV open house.
“I organized the event as a community service since there is community interest in electric cars,” he said.
Kratzer drives a gas-powered Toyota Tacoma and is himself not sold on EVs.
“My wife and I were talking about going electric and decided that, if anything, a plug-in hybrid would be a better choice for us,” he said. Such a hybrid would give them the option of using both gas and electricity, he added.
Kratzer said he’s heard residents expressing doubts whether the current electric outlets in Village carports could handle an expected increase in the number of vehicles needing to be charged.
Residents who currently charge their EVs in carports pay $240 a year for the service. (The fee is not incurred by those who charge their EVs in their garage.)
The $240 is well worth the money, EV drivers said.
Several at the open house cited the wish to protect the environment as EVs emit fewer greenhouse gases and air pollutants than gas-powered vehicles.
Cyndee Whitney, who drives a Tesla Model 3, said she subscribes to the idea of going off gas power altogether. “I have four grandsons; we need to preserve the planet,” she said.
Whitney bought her Tesla in 2020 and charges it in her carport.
“We have to anticipate the demand and don’t need to create barriers to owning an EV,” she said. “Every community will have that problem of dealing with not enough electricity. We have to watch the grid and change our life around.”
Tom Finkelor also drives a Tesla Model 3. “We are interested in improving the carbon footprint and also installed solar panels five years ago,” he said.
He charges his car in his garage. A one-hour charge lets him drive 30 miles, he said, and an overnight charge yields roughly 90 miles.
Wife Lynn Finkelor agreed that something needs to be done in the Village. “We need to work on our infrastructure, which is insufficient. It is doable,” she said.
Ann Beltran, a co-organizer of the EV open house, drives a turquoise Chevy Volt, which she bought for roughly $22,000 after rebates.
“Charging on long trips is an issue,” she said. “You have to pay close attention to phone apps that tell you where there are usable charging stations and whether they are available.”
Still, “it all works out if you plot out your route,” she said.
Beltran, who surveyed visitors at the open house, said that roughly 20 non-electric car owners expressed an interest in going electric.
“GRF Maintenance and Construction needs to do a cost analysis,” she said. “We need about 10 charging stations per parking lot.”
For Steve Putima, the lack of charging stations in the Village is no problem. He charges his Tesla Model X with gullwing doors in his garage.
Still, he feels that Village residents don’t drive as much as they used to, and so the demand for charging stations won’t be as high as some have made out.
“For me there are enough charging stations,” Putima said. “I don’t usually drive more than 5 miles per day.”