It's Electric!

You probably have driven past Fairfielder James Boncek driving around town behind the wheel of his red Toyota Tercel with a list of electric car FAQs on the window.  Other than the sign in the window, Boncek's creation looks almost exactly like any other car on the road on the outside.

The unique information often prompts fellow drivers to roll down their windows and find out more.  "On the highway in traffic, people stop me and ask about the car," Boncek said.

There is quite a bit of press on electric cars these days.  With gas prices continually rising and environmentally-conscious humans leading the move away from our dependence on fossil fuels, people are curious.  "It's a good buzz story," Boncek said.

Boncek has lived in Fairfield all his life, with the exception of his college days, which were spent at New England Institute of Technology in Warwick, Rhode Island.

In Fairfield, Boncek has a 9-mile commute, round trip, and travels the local streets like many others in town. Unlike other drivers on the streets of Fairfield though, Boncek doesn't have to stop for gas – ever.

Our human dependence on gasoline and its negative environmental effects are important to Boncek.  "When it comes to this whole climate change deal, it's very important, and I figured I should do my part," Boncek said.

And do his part he did.

On May 4, 2009 Boncek officially announced, via his blog on www.jamesboncek.com, that he was indeed building an electric car.  The 1993 Toyota for which he paid only $100 was on its last gasoholic leg when he made the decision.  Throughout the conversion, Boncek updated readers on his progress, including frustrations and financial burdens.

MXenergy, the largest independent provider of natural gas and electricity in North America, sponsored Boncek after a proposal he submitted to the company.  Jeffery Mayer, CEO and president of the Stamford-based company, frequents Boncek's employer, The Fairfield Theatre Company, regularly.  Mayer's wife is even on the Board of the popular venue.

"James knew people at MXenergy," said Marjorie Kass, senior director of Brand Strategy and Marketing Communications at MXenergy, "so he looked into financial help and approached the company with a proposal." The company found the idea to be fantastic and they were thrilled to help, she said.

"MXenergy is very interested in sustainable energy and curbing our carbon offsets," explained Kass.  "We are very much about energy savings."

Since getting Nina (that is the car's name) on the road regularly, Boncek has proved that saving money, in addition to the environment, is an electric-car perk too.

"The cost of driving the car, in short, is about a third the cost of gasoline," gloated Boncek.  He plugs the car in almost nightly in his garage.  And soon, Nina may have a new neighbor.  Boncek is looking into creating a second electric car, but funding seems to be holding him back.   "I'd like to do it more in the education atmosphere with more precision," he said. Presently, he is looking into involving students from Fairfield University on his next electric automobile endeavor.

For information and to watch Boncek's debut on Good Morning America visit http://ev.jamesboncek.com/. To view the video on MXenergy's website go to: www.mxenergy.com/community/index.php.