More people hopping on the electric vehicle wave

Rochester, N.Y. — Every year, more people seem to be joining the electric vehicle wave.

On Saturday, EV owners gathered at RIT to show off their rides, at the 10th annual National Electric Drive. Organizers say if this year's event is any indication, we could soon see longer lines at charging stations.

This year, a record-breaking number of electric vehicles were on display at the event.

NYS Electric Auto Association President Mark Thorn says it's encouraging seeing so many people taking an interest in the vehicles.

"We have been doing the car show for about 10 years, and every year, it has been a monumental increase," Thorn said.

Earlier this year, California pledged to slowly stop the sale of new gas-powered cars, and go completely electric by 2035.

BACKGROUND | California moves toward phasing out gas-fueled vehicles

Earlier this week, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that more than 100 high speed charging stations have been installed across the state. She says New York has cemented itself as a leader in advancing clean transportation.

Thorn says the high gas prices seen over the summer added on to the rebates certain companies are offering to new EV drivers, and state and federal tax incentives are just a few of many reasons people are making the switch.

"You can put it in solid dollars - there is no exhaust, there are no catalytic units, there is no oil changes, there’s no tailpipe, there is no coolant," Thorn explained. "Those benefits are now coming to the forefront now as people are looking to save money on transportation."

George Beckinghausen, who owns an electric vehicle, says he made the switch eight years ago, after not being able to drive his standard shift cars due to a knee injury.

Through his research into EVs, Beckinghausen is now swapping out other items he has with items that run on renewable energy.

"The first product being a solar cooker," he said. "We do a lot of camping, or hang out at a cabin at my in-laws, and being off grid like that, there is no running water. So, we have our solar powered faucet sink to wash our hands ,and then the cooler came next, and just keep adding different things for being outdoors."

Now, he says his daughter has gotten in on the renewable energy wave, too.

"She's really actively involved in it - she is probably more of an advocate now than I am," Beckinghausen said. "Now, every opportunity that she has to come out, she loves doing this and loves talking to people."

Last year, Gov. Hochul introduced a bill, saying by 2035, 100 percent of the state's passenger cars and trucks will be zero-emission. She added hat medium and heavy-duty trucks will be zero-emission by 2045.