Sam Feldstein
Derek Parker, a sales representative for Leith Nissan in Cary, and Justin Barker, a sophomore in civil engineering engage in a discussion about fuel-efficient cars next to a brand new Nissan Leaf 2015 model as part of the Alternative Vehicles showcase in the Brickyard Thursday. Barker was amazed at the number of dealers and cars represented and at the number of students that attended the event.
Students were able to get a glimpse into the future of transportation when the Brickyard hosted an Alternative Vehicles Showcase Thursday in the Brickyard, after the event was postponed due to inclement weather.
The Brickyard hosted several fuel-efficient, ‘smart’ cars, such as the Tesla Model S and the Nissan Leaf. Other groups offering alternative, sustainable methods of transportation, such as GoTriangle Transit and WolfWheels, also presented their services to environmentally conscious students and visitors to the showcase.
“I just think the fact that there are so many different manufactures that are involved to see what they can contribute is really something,” said Campbell Lovett, a sales representative for Nissan. “I just think it’s great that we can come together to celebrate this new-age technology which are these sustainable cars, and it’s starting to become more mainstream. Even younger students between the ages of 18 and 22 are showing a general interest in it.”
In addition to the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Showcase, NC State will host the Southeast Alternative Fuels Conference and Expo at the Raleigh Convention Center Oct. 22–24.
The new NC State Stewards hosted a table in the center of the Brickyard showcase. The Stewards, who work with the Office of Sustainability, displayed mounted bicycles that measured the amount of energy generated when ridden.
Eric Rizzo, an NC State Steward and a senior in polymer and color chemistry, said the goal of the presentation was to get people to ride bikes.
“Energy is a hard thing and it a very abstract concept, so if you ride the bike and look at the sign to see how long you would have to ride the bike at a pace to power something, you can conceptualize energy,” Rizzo said. “We are raising awareness on what energy is.”
The electric Tesla Model S sparked the interest of many students, such as Omar Halawani, a second-year student studying human biology, by going up to 275 miles at 65 mph without producing any carbon emissions.
“I love the Tesla. The door handles on that are awesome,” Halawani said. “They hide and they pop out when you get close to them.”
The GoTriangle bus system’s display encouraged public transportation alternatives that benefit the environment and help alleviate traffic congestion especially with the construction taking place near Interstate 440.
For many students, the event was an opportunity to explore different vehicles and earn free swag by participating in trivia games and visiting tables.
“I had a crazy rush of students trying to get T-shirts, so I think they were very interested in the shirts and event information in general,” said Paul Straw, a sustainable travel specialist with Triangle Transit. “We have had a lot of engaging conversations so far.”
Connor Norris, a first-year student studying environmental science, said he appreciated what the event offered and looks forward to upcoming events by the Office of Sustainability.
“I think the coolest part is being able to share all these different looking vehicles like the extended Beetle or some cars I have never seen before that are actually safe and could be better in sustainability,” Norris said.
This event is part of the NC State Office of Sustainability’s Change Your State campaign, an initiative to teach students, faculty members and staff how they can do little things to lead a sustainable life.
The NC State Office of Sustainability, Staff Senate and NC State Energy management sponsored the event.