Loyalsock Township is test driving an electric vehicle for daily business and officials there say they like what they see.

The township purchased a Chevrolet Bolt EV, for its building officer usage.

“We eliminated one gas vehicle, which saves us about $100 per week on fuel cost,” said Bill Burdett, township manager.

The vehicle was featured in the township supervisors’ newsletter for this month.

The township has among the highest percentage of businesses, along with its Golden Strip on East Third Street. It is also one showing residential growth, with new housing developments springing up in the rural landscape but close to the city and strip.

The car was purchased using a partial grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Burdett said.

Dave Carson, the township Building Officer, is the primary driver of the vehicle as he does building inspections.

“We are trying one as a test to see if there are any other possible uses,” Burdett said.

“We are using it as a code inspection car and it returns to the same garage every day which is perfect for an EV,” he said.

The township already had the amount of electricity it needed and only had to install a new type of plug, and a larger breaker to accommodate the charging station. The building also has solar panels.

The vehicle only needs to be charged once a week, so it is charged over the weekend and it is good for another week.

For the price of about $30,000, the Chevrolet Bolt is one of the entry-level vehicles in this market.

Drivers can expect to go about 238 miles on a single charge, according to Chevrolet.

Additionally, Nissan’s Leaf e+ is in the same class as the Hyundai Kona and Bolt, at least with regard to range (226 miles) and power (215 horse power).

For those who do purchase EV, and who want a test vehicle or a second car, charging stations for the EV revolution for the public are available in the City of Williamsport and Greater Williamsport metro region.

The state Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has information on EV charging stations on its 511PA site.

PennDOT recently announced conditional awards of National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funds for chargers near both Milton and Mill Hall near Interstate 80.

EV charging stations are being added to meet the projected demand, as Pennsylvania can join the northeast and mid-Atlantic states to support a regional clean transportation network, according to DEP officials.

To demonstrate that Pennsylvania is ready for EVs, government and business leaders are developing new policies, creating financial incentives and engaging in public-private investments.

EVs have significant environmental and health benefits over conventional gasoline or diesel-powered cars, including reduced greenhouse gasses and other harmful pollutants.

EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions. Fewer tailpipe emissions reduces pollutants, improving overall air quality and public health.

Using EVs instead of conventional vehicles can help reduce U.S. reliance on imported petroleum and increase energy security.

EV failures have become political talking points, but they are for sale at area car dealerships and now they are starting to be used for municipal government purposes.