TURLOCK — At some point we’ll all need to drive lower emission vehicles if we hope to improve air quality in the Valley, clean air advocates say.
Volkmar Kunerth is on a mission to make that transition a smart move for individuals and businesses.
Kunerth sells scooters, e-bikes and ATVs through his dealership EV-Mobility Solutions in Turlock.
“I’m convinced it’s not only better for the environment and clean air but also it makes economic sense since the operation costs of those vehicles are much, much lower than the comparable combustible vehicle,” said Kunerth. “Payback time is only a couple of years.”
Kunerth said zero gas costs, lower maintenance fees and a lifetime mileage of 500,000 or more contribute to the vehicles’ economic advantage. Zero emissions mean they’re not contributing to air pollution. That’s a big advantage in the Valley where about 80 percent of the air pollution problem comes from vehicles, according to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.
“We’re dealing with air pollution that comes from mobile sources here in the Valley,” said Heather Heinks, outreach and communication manager for the district.
“Cars and trucks are the largest contributor.”
Ozone and particulate matter are the two big sources of air pollution. Vehicle exhaust combines with heat in the summer to create ozone. Exhaust also generates particulate matter, along with smoke from wood fires, which becomes a problem in the winter. Both ozone and particulate matter contribute to respiratory problems that can be especially dangerous for the very old and the very young.
But Californians have made a lot of progress over the past two decades in reducing ozone and particulate matter, Heinks said. She credited businesses, particularly, for making changes that have paid off. In 2013, for the first time ever, the Valley had no violations of the federal one-hour ozone standard (the amount of ozone generated in an hour).
However, Heinks said there are still significant challenges ahead, and lower emissions vehicles can help.
“Any electric vehicle is going to have zero tailpipe emissions,” Heinks said. “It’s a huge benefit.”
The vehicles sold at EV-Mobility Solutions are suitable for transportation, commuting, agriculture, security and leisure related activities. They range in cost from $550 to about $13,000.
Kunerth said his reasons for taking on the role are deeply rooted in his passion for the environment and for nature.
“I’m a guy who loves nature. I’m out every day with my dog,” he said.
He left his previous job in business development for a software company to become the U.S. representative for a supplier he met overseas. That was after he attended a EuroBike trade show during a vacation to Germany, where Kunerth is from.
“I want to also sell the mission,” Kunerth said, noting that electric vehicles are just one part of a bigger movement that includes solar power and clean energy.
Kunerth is focusing his energy on sales and business development, using suppliers with warehouses in the United States to cut costs and offer better service to his customers, while also being careful not to spread himself too thin. He started his business in 2014 and, for the most part, he runs it on his own.
Some of the vehicles are produced in China, but Kunerth doesn’t work with companies that would force customers to send their bikes overseas for repairs or order parts that need to be shipped long distances. Ultimately, it’s a convenience issue.
Another plus to the local warehouses, according to Kunerth, is the space it saves. Most suppliers are willing to ship vehicles direct, so while he has a showroom where customers can view a variety of the vehicles he sells, he doesn’t have to keep inventory of all of his offerings.
In addition to small, transport scooters and other Segway-like scooters meant for personal use, Kunerth sells all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility task vehicles (UTVs) more suitable for farms and security applications. One of the ATVs Kunerth sells can be fully equipped with lights and sirens to resemble a police vehicle.
EV-Mobility offered 20-25 vehicles as of the beginning of April, but Kunerth said he was already working to get more suppliers and expand his inventory in both the personal scooter and farming equipment market. Eventually, he wants to have a Ford-like dealership in the Central Valley exclusive to electric vehicles, he said.
Heinks encouraged interested parties to view available grants at www.valleyair.org/grant where several state, federal and local agency rebates are available for those who purchase or lease electric vehicles, as part of the Drive Clean program.
“The Valley has typically lagged somewhat behind in electric vehicle adoption,” according to Heinks. “They’re not this sort of fringe toy,” she said, “They actually work.”
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