All charged up for a free ride

Greg Risling

NEWPORT BEACH -- Carol McDonald uses extra caution when driving through

the city’s tight alleyways.

She has only a few inches to spare on either side of her sport-utility

vehicle, but she’s more worried no one will hear her coming out of the

alley.

“There is virtually no noise when you are idling,” she said. “I have to

be very cautious because kids and families might not hear the vehicle.”

McDonald is one of several volunteers who drives the city’s new electric

vehicles that have been on the streets for the last two months. Many

residents didn’t notice the new additions because police decals hadn’t

been affixed to its sides until recently.

The city has a fleet of about 20 electrically powered automobiles this

year. The two police vehicles were part of an allocation from a state air

quality management grant.

The vehicles will be used for the next two years at a minimum cost to

taxpayers. They are brand-new, environment-friendly and, naturally, don’t

guzzle gas. Not only are the people driving the vehicles donating their

time, the city will save thousands of dollars on fuel and maintenance.

“I think the main difference is the fuel source,” said Andrea Querry, a

crime prevention specialist. “It’s a normal vehicle, but it has some neat

features.”

McDonald couldn’t agree more. She pointed out that the seats individually

heat up, keeping the driver and front-seat passenger toasty warm.

The electric version of the Toyota RAV-4 takes some time to adapt to

because of its advanced features.

“It’s easy to handle and it’s nice that you don’t have to go to the gas

pump,” she said. “You put your foot on the accelerator and it runs

beautifully.”

McDonald, a retired teacher, has been working for the Police Department

free of charge since last April. She headed up her neighborhood watch

program in Newport Shores and was interested in the department’s

Volunteer Program. Now she divides her time between the police and the

Red Cross.

She controls her exuberance when talking about the electric vehicles.

McDonald is one of the more mobile volunteers, traveling around town,

distributing fliers for those people who forget to close their garages or

front door. She also runs errands for the department, saving officers

valuable minutes and hours from their jobs.

But McDonald is one of the lucky few in this world who work for free and

still get a brand-new company car.

“We want them to have a good time because, after all, they are working

for free,” Querry said. “They enjoy their work and get a lot of it done

for us.”