Partying with Plug In America

Saturday September 27th, 2008 : Immediately after the Santa Monica 2008 AltCarExpo, "Who Killed the Electric Car?" Director Chris Paine graciously hosted Plug In America's very first fundraiser at his PV+EV residence in Culver City, CA . [caption id="attachment_415" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="GM's amazing Chevy Volt - A 100% electric drive (range extending) plug-in hybrid."]GM's amazing Chevy Volt, a 100% electric drive (range extending) plug-in hybrid.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_416" align="alignright" width="200" caption=" Mmmmm...Tesla... (pure EV) "]Mmmmm...Tesla... (pure EV)[/caption] The party was totally sold out: 250 guests and two superb electric vehicle rockstars - GM's newly released preproduction prototype Chevy Volt and a silver Tesla Roadster. Due to parking limitations, valet parking was provided and guests were shuttled to the venue in several Toyota RAV4-EVs and a couple of very quick and spacious AC Propulsion eBoxes. Chris Paine's film crew was in attendance filming the EVent. But the speeches were the real highlight of the evening, delivered from a roof top overlooking the partygoers. Host Chris Paine discussed his recent trip to Detroit for the pre-production GM Chevy Volt unveiling and describing how surreal it was to have the Chevy Volt parked in his backyard for this memorable party. Chelsea Sexton followed with another eloquent summary of Plug In America's humble grassroots beginnings. Plug In America's president Linda Nicholes and board member Alexandra Paul gave a surprise thank you to two dedicated PIA volunteers. Renowned auto journalist Dan Neil of the LA Times delivered a rave review of the GM Chevy Volt - and some of his trademark wit. And lastly, James Woolsey summarized the vital national security requirement for our nation to embrace, develop, and deploy plug-in electric vehicles. The party also featured a silent auction for green and EV related items, including a Duffy Electric Boat rental, a 2009 Zero X Electric Motorcycle, and a beautiful blue 2008 Vectrix Electric Maxi-Scooter (from Delamo Motorsports in Redondo Beach). Click here to see my Vectrix Electric Maxi-Scooter coverage from March 2007. Thanks go out to Plug In America Managing Director Jeanne Trombly, event organizer Nicole Landers, sustainability champion and solar chef extraordinaire Cathy Lam, and all the other volunteers who made Plug In America's first fundraiser such a success! [Click here to see more photos from the party.]

8 Comments

  1. Colby
    Posted November 8, 2008 at 9:36 pm | Permalink

    Great write-up, Stefano!

  2. Posted May 19, 2009 at 12:30 am | Permalink

    But the speeches were the real highlight of the evening, delivered from a roof top overlooking the partygoers. Host Chris Paine discussed his recent trip to Detroit for the pre-production GM Chevy Volt unveiling and describing how surreal it was to have the Chevy Volt parked in his backyard for this memorable party. Chelsea Sexton followed with another eloquent summary of Plug In America’s humble grassroots beginnings. Plug In America’s president Linda Nicholes and board member Alexandra Paul gave a surprise thank you to two dedicated PIA volunteers. Renowned auto journalist Dan Neil of the LA Times delivered a rave review of the GM Chevy Volt – and some of his trademark wit. And lastly, James Woolsey summarized the vital national security requirement for our nation to embrace, develop, and deploy plug-in electric vehicles.

  3. Posted August 12, 2009 at 12:41 pm | Permalink

    Wow that’s a nice Party I wish I could attend such kind of party. In our country this kind of party never occur.

  4. Posted December 5, 2009 at 12:55 am | Permalink

    It is good party which also auctions vehicle . It is good style of promoting vehicles through party.

  5. Posted March 31, 2010 at 4:01 pm | Permalink

    The silver Tesla Roadster is nicer than a porche in my opinion.

  6. Posted June 11, 2010 at 12:15 pm | Permalink

    Wow is about all that you can say when you see something like this.

  7. Posted June 15, 2010 at 11:20 am | Permalink

    I own an auto transport and transported one of these a while back. Couldn’t even tell it was running.

  8. Posted July 23, 2010 at 12:43 am | Permalink

    Hey that’s the party. Wish I was there attending the party. The two car pics really fascinated me. I feel it’s a time of electric cars. Electric cars are the next best things.

One Trackback

  1. By From Kansas to LA | Revenge of the Electric Car on December 2, 2008 at 1:27 pm

    [...] with the “Revenge of the Electric Car” crew after winning an auction at the first Plug in America Fundraiser.  We arrived late Thursday night November 20th ( my 16th Birthday ! ).  My father and I picked up [...]

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