In the face of continuing air quality problems for this part

of Georgia, Fayette County's government is taking steps toward

the future.

Using a $50,000 state grant, the county will buy three electric

vehicles following a recent successful test of one vehicle.

"Georgia Power brought one out and we tested it for four

months and it worked out real well," said assistant county manager

Chris Cofty.

The power company in recent months has been pushing

local governments to take the lead in using electric cars and trucks

as one alternative to gasoline as technology improves.

During a demonstration to the Atlanta Regional

Commission's transportation committee earlier this year, Michael

Anderson, Georgia Power manager for electric transportation, said

electric cars emit no pollutants at all, and the amount of pollution

emitted from power plants in order to charge batteries for the vehicles

is negligible.

Electric-powered cars can now get 100 miles or more on a

charge, and soon will match the range of gasoline vehicles, Anderson said.

Governments are required to increase the percentage of

alternative fuel vehicles in their fleets each year until they have no

gasoline vehicles left.

The Georgia Power spokesman said the company is hoping

the state and local governments also will use tax incentives to

encourage private use of the cleaner cars.

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