Film Kicks Off Bradenton, Sarasota Electric Car Initiative

The film that removes the veil of secrecy from the clandestine efforts to produce a successful-selling electric car will make its Florida premiere in Sarasota.

“Revenge ofthe Electric Car” will have its one and only showing at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12 at , 506 Burns Lane, Sarasota. The event is sponsored by Sarasota County Sustainability, the city of Bradenton, the Sarasota Film Society and local solar energy companies EcoTechnologies and Harriman’s Inc.

In 2006, “Who Killed the Electric Car” told the story of how car manufacturers destroyed their own vehicles. Five years later Chris Paine takes viewers behind the closed doorsof Nissan, GM, Tesla Motors and others to tell the story of their battle to be the first to produce new electric models that will win over the public.

"Like any big step forward, electric cars have plenty of political enemies because they threaten change. But they remain our best hope for a future without subservience to theMiddle East,” said producer Chris Paine. “Revenge is the story of four very different entrepreneurs, bringing them to life despite huge obstacles. There are a lot of Floridians ready for a better future and willing to take risks. This film celebrates risk takers of all kinds.”

Following the film, a panel discussion and audience question and answer session will be held featuring Avera Wynne of the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, Ken Stokes ofEcoTechologies, best-selling author and Casey Key resident Stephen King, Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton and Helda Rodriguez of NovaCharge. 

Parking near the theater is limited so the public is encouraged to park in the lot at the , 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. A free shuttle service to the theater will be offered from 6-9:30 p.m. by Green Hopper which uses a fleet of neighborhood electric vehicles. Owners of electric vehicles (EVs) are encouraged to park at the Palm Avenue parking garage which has electric vehicle charging stations available.

Some of today’s most popular and exotic electric vehicles will be on display outside thetheater including the Fisker Karma, Chevrolet Volt, Tesla Roadster and Nissan LEAF.Electric bicycles and the latest charging stations will also be on display. 

“EV technology is where we are heading in this country and Sarasota County continues to lead by example,” said Nina Powers, Sarasota County Sustainability outreach coordinator. “We switched to hybrid technology for our busses and fleet vehicles a few years ago, and thanks to our partnership with FPL, have four Plug-in hybrid electricvehicles.”

In 2006 the Sarasota County Commission approved a Roadmap to Sustainability that outlined the county’s efforts to achieve environmental, societal and economic sustainability. In the last five years the county has received recognition for:

• First American county to sign the AIA 2030 Challenge for carbon neutrality
• First local Florida government to gain LEED building certification
• First planned Renewable Community Demonstration Project
• Preserving 16,000 acres of environmentally sensitive land
• First Florida county to adopt a green development ordinance
• Purchase of 20 hybrid electric transit buses and 15 hybrid electric pool vehicles
• First local Florida government with Plug-in Hybrid Electric Toyota Prius in fleet

Tickets to the Florida premiere of “Revenge of the Electric Car” can be purchased online at the Sarasota Film Society web site, http://filmsociety.org/   

For more information, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 or visitwww.scgov.net, keyword search Sustainability.