Summey gets a green machineBY WARREN WISE
The Post and Courier
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Melissa Haneline North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey sits in the back of his new electric vehicle, the Tomberlin E-Merge, after taking a spin down the street Friday with his daughter Annie Fuller and his wife, Debbie (not pictured). North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey is going green. The car enthusiast has added a low-speed vehicle to his collection. Called an electric car by its manufacturer, it goes 25 mph and will travel 30 miles before its six batteries need recharging. He simply plugs it up overnight. The Tomberlin E-Merge Super Sport, looks like a fancy golf cart but can be driven only on streets with speed limits of 35 mph or less. The mayor can't drive it to City Hall from his house on Spaniel Drive near Park Circle because the speed limit on Montague Avenue is 45 mph. "I have no plans to build a tunnel," he said with a chuckle. He plans to use it on short trips to the drug store, Park Circle, East Montague, Riverfront Park and around nearby residential neighborhoods. The four-seater costs about $7,000 and requires everything that a regular car requires — license plate, insurance, driver's license. He traded in his upgraded golf cart for $3,000 and will get a $2,500 federal tax credit next year for buying the vehicle. "It saves on gas, and it has no emissions," Summey said. "I see it becoming the next thing for everyone who wants to use it for short trips." It doesn't need gasoline or oil, but once a month the batteries' fluid levels must be checked and distilled water added. It has lights, horns, seat belts, windshield wipers and signals, but it doesn't have air conditioning or heat. There are no doors, so if you are caught in a blowing rain, you are going to get a little wet. It also doesn't have a radio, but Summey said he hardly ever listens to one anyway. Because it's so open, Summey said drivers will find it hard to ignore people they pass on the street like they do when they drive a regular car with the windows rolled up and the air-conditioning blowing. "You have to wave to everybody," he said. "It's just a natural thing." The electric vehicle gives the mayor seven vehicles, including the city-owned Saturn Outlook he drives for work. His wife, Debbie, has two others. His other vehicles are a 1956 Chevrolet, a 1959 Ford retractable hardtop convertible, 1969 GT Torino, 1980 Porsche and a 2005 Ford Expedition. He recently sold five others but plans to go to Indiana in August and buy another one. "I'm a car freak," Summey said. Reach Warren Wise at 745-5850 or wwise@postandcourier.com. |
Article tools |
|
Notice about comments: Charleston.net is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Charleston.net does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not charleston.net. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "suggest removal" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Full terms and conditions can be read here. |
Comments
This article has 17 comment(s)
Posted by Mayor on June 21, 2008 at 5:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wait til he gets hit in it. This is a death trap. Shouldn't be allowed on the streets, even 35mph streets.
Posted by SummerGirl on June 21, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Going green? And he wants to destroy the green in Summerville by pushingfor Watson Hill? Hypocrite.
Posted by jmw29410 on June 21, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is that speed and range measured with him driving or a normal sized person?
Posted by majorjohnson on June 21, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A federal tax credit for buying an oversized golf cart? My hedge trimmer is electric...where's my federal tax credit?
Posted by disco on June 21, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He needs to get rid of the cars and start walking.
Posted by forget on June 21, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Where in N Chas is he going to drive this besides his neighborhood? To me, it looks a little like getting a toy to impress the other guys in the neighborhood. And if he gets a little PR on the side, all the better.
Posted by zoomru on June 21, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Doesn't listen to radio? ...... He doesn't need to be in office then !! Mayor..you IDIOT !! You mean you don't listen to the Morning BUZZ?? No leader in their right mind would not have a radio on to get community FEEDBACK?? Oh ...I forgot you only listen to your campaign donors....they know what is best for us ALL??? Do you read EMAIL? DO YOU ANSWER YOUR PHONE???? How is North Charleston's fire hoses??? I think Ravenel needs to mosey on up your way and use more than the "B" word !!! Is your city making money off its trash...NO!! Go to www.startech.net and READ!!! Is your city making money off of OUR coastal winds...NO!! Go to www.superturbine.net you FOOL...and READ!!! Does your city have a MONEY MAKING mass transit.....NO! Google SKYTRAN and ponder the possibilities!!
Where is that energy going to come from??? Look at your trash?!!!!!!
Posted by tomtomdumdum on June 21, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mayor Summy is the man! How can anyone not like this man. One thing is for certain is he loves his employees! ALL of them.
Posted by LI58 on June 21, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A pair of walking or running shoes would be a whole lot cheaper and healthier. Might even encourage others to get out and exercise as well. "Get Fit North Charleston" now that would promote a good message for all of the constituents to be involved in.
Posted by halfsheli on June 21, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, at least we're all not feeling bitchy and cynical today! Glad to see that all the upbeat and pleasant posters are out in force.
Posted by geekguy2008 on June 21, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is his entire family obese?
Posted by dreamer on June 21, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am always amazed by the fact that there are so many close-minded, cynical commenters on here.
Geekguy, what difference does it make? That's not what the article is about. It's about the fact that the mayor purchased an 'electric' car that he really can't drive much further than his upgraded golf cart. But--he did make an eco-friendly choice, nonetheless. My in-laws purchased a similiar vehicle, only it's a two-seater, and they can't drive it on certain highways, etc. but they are able to use it for short trips and compared to their farm truck, it has saved them a good deal in gas. They take it to church and to the bank...it's amazing how those little trips add up to saving 4 or 5 dollars in gas.
I happen to have a lot of respect for Mayor Summey. I have met him on several occasions and he is always extremely friendly and gracious.
As for not listening to the radio, he's probably constantly hounded on his cell when he is in the car on his way home. That doesn't leave a lot of radio time. And to be honest, half the 'public' opinion on the "morning buzz" is so far off the equivilant view of the average citizen (hence the "skytran" mentioned by zoomu) that I don't blame him. I'm thankful for sattelite radio so I can avoid the "buzz" on my commute!
Posted by ChasCarolinaGirl on June 21, 2008 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, I believe that walking would be better for him.
Posted by ChasCarolinaGirl on June 21, 2008 at 8:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
FYI Dreamer ... I know of Mayor Summey also. I, once, have witnessed him eating dinner out one night with a group of people (close friends and family). There were about 8 - 10 people ... the waitress was busting her butt for all of them.
Can you actually believe that he did not leave a tip? This was before tips were included in the bill for large parties of people; and HE was paying. :) Yeah, real nice.
Posted by dreamer on June 21, 2008 at 9:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
oh yes, tripsa...you're the one on the trip about the gas prices being driven by leftist communist whatevers. And of course the production of batteries is comparable to the damage that the Toyota Prius does during manufacturing, as well. I forgot...got to watch my enviro p's and q's with you on the boards. After all, you might cut and paste your "Googled" results right here for me to read....
As for not tipping...maybe he left it on his card? :)
Posted by ChasCarolinaGirl on June 21, 2008 at 9:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yeah .. well he does not impress me at all. he does not come across genuine. he comes across more giving b/c of his image.
Posted by Mayor on June 22, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He can't afford to leave a tip after his food bill. Fryed only, please!