Renew America Roadtrip spreads EV, green living awareness

Michael Craner and Maddy Gunawardana, organizers of Renew America Roadtrip, stopped in Las Vegas on July 28 as they made their way from New York to Los Angeles during "America's first green charity drive coast to coast in an all-electric sports car."

The couple independently created the trip to raise money for several charities, including the Las Vegas Springs Preserve, and to shed light on eco-friendly lifestyles and the viability of owning electric cars, such as the Tesla Motors Roadster they drove.

"Renew America Roadtrip is built upon Renew America Together, which is (President) Obama's campaign, his initiative, to get us Americans to not stand by idly when we are hit with this economic disaster -- to get out there and do something, to get out there and help," Craner said.

Craner and Gunawardana were welcomed to Las Vegas at the Element Hotel in Summerlin with an Electric Vehicle Fiesta, which included a variety of electric cars on display, EV presentations and discussions, as well as demonstration rides in the Tesla.

"It's a fun little car to drive around in," Gunawardana said. 'It's such a crowd magnet. Once people start coming around to see the car, it's a great hook to start talking about living a green lifestyle.

"And we're not really that guilty driving cross-country because it's zero emissions."

For more information, go to www.RenewAmerica Roadtrip.com.