Transcript:
The power grid landed for several days in late September when Hurricane Helen hit Georgia.
The temperature at that time reached around 90 degrees, which was uncomfortable and even dangerous for those who did not cool down.
To run window air conditioning after a storm, Alan Shedd from the coast of Georgia powered the gas generator. But then he realized that he had another power supply: his electric car.
Shedd: “I sit this car in the driveway, all of this stored energy. I just use it to run the air conditioner.”
He ran an extension line from the car to allow the AC to insert for nearly three days. He also uses his car to charge portable power stations.
Shed said his window air conditioning keeps the temperature at a more comfortable 75 degrees.
He estimates that he uses less than $5 in electricity.
Even after three days, the car still has enough battery life to drive 100 miles.
Shedd: “A hundred miles are still a very comfortable cushion, driving to another location where you can charge your car. Of course, you can drive to the grocery store or anywhere you need to run your errands.”
Not all electric vehicles have the ability to provide backup power.
But those who do help people keep critical appliances running in emergencies.
Report Credit: Ethan Freedman/Chavobart Digital Media
Repost our articles for free under the Creative Commons license, online or in print.
