Electric car makes pit stop at Tioga High School

To Jerry Asher, it’s not about how fast you get somewhere — it’s about how much gas you use on your way.

Asher’s been touring the United States for nearly a year in his plug-in Toyota Prius hybrid. Friday, he and his car puttered down Ferretti Road in Groveland getting 255 miles per gallon.

“That’s my baby,” Asher, of Arizona, said with a smile while petting the dashboard of the car he’s dubbed the “Spirit of DC.”

He began his travels on Earth Day at the National Mall in Washington D.C., and, so far, has visited 44 state capitals.

Before he rolls back to the National Mall on April 18 this year, he plans to visit the last four in the continental United States.

His goal is to be as visible as possible and spread the word about hybrid technology that could help stop global warming.

Friday, he spoke to Tioga High School students about the vehicle and why they need to become familiar with such “green” technology.

“This is your future,” Asher told them. “We can do this now. We don’t have to wait.”

Plug-in hybrids use the same technology as current hybrids, but have a more powerful battery that can be recharged via a standard electrical outlet. Any 2004 or newer Toyota Prius can hook up to the battery, which costs about $5,000. When the larger battery is drained, the car reverts back to being a regular hybrid.

At Tioga, the car was plugged into a socket outside of the gym where Asher was speaking.

“You represent middle America,” Asher said. “You’re the people who don’t get to see this stuff regularly and believe that it can be done.”

Asher said that the electricity it takes to run his car is about a quarter to a sixth of the cost of gasoline.

Asher’s ultimate vision is an electric highway, where cars are hooked up to an electric source, like bumper cars.

“You could just say, ‘take me to Los Angeles.’ And then you could sit back, drink some coffee and sleep,” Asher said.

After Asher was done speaking, the kids gathered around the car to get a look a closer look.

Michael Malloy, of Big Oak Flat, also spoke to the audience about how he makes and uses biodiesel to power his car.

“I’m a local guy,” Malloy said. “You don’t have to be a special guy to do this.”

Biodiesel can be made from ethanol or used cooking oil.

Malloy said it’s a simple process anyone can do.

“It’s just like making beer,” he said.

    Contact James Damschroder at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 588-4531.