Published: May 9, 2012

The latest in electric vehicle technology -- including cars, motorcycles, bicycles and charging systems -- will be showcased in the west parking lot of the University of Colorado Boulder’s Wolf Law Building from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 17.

A screening of the documentary “Revenge of the Electric Vehicle” with a question-and-answer session will be held later that day from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in room 1B20 of the Ƶ-Boulder Visual Arts Complex. Both events, including refreshments and door prizes donated by local sponsors, are free and open to the public.

Ƶ-Boulder, the city of Boulder, Boulder County and Northern Colorado Clean Cities are hosting the events in recognition of May 17 as the statewide Electric Vehicle Day.

A proclamation for the day, recently issued by Gov. John Hickenlooper, states that electrified transportation reduces air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on imported petroleum. Electrified transportation also helps increase energy security, environmental sustainability and Colorado jobs, according to the proclamation.

“Are electric vehicles the spark of our future?” asked Bryan Flansburg, director of Ƶ-Boulder transportation services. “This will be a fun way to check out the technology -- to sit in vehicles, look at the engines, kick the tires and learn how the systems work.”

Attendees at the expo also will have the opportunity to visit with vendors, vehicle owners, local transportation groups, representatives from Xcel Energy and the hosting organizations.

“This is a wonderful event that will showcase what’s available now for electrified transportation,” said Joe Castro, city of Boulder facilities and fleet manager. “Attendees can also talk to representatives on hand to hear what Boulder is doing to integrate smart charging for electric vehicles.”

The Electric Ride -- a project of the American Lung Association in Colorado and the Denver Metro Clean Cities Coalition -- is spearheading Electric Vehicle Day events across the state. The efforts are intended to foster electric vehicle awareness and expansion in the Rocky Mountain region.

For more information on the Boulder-area Electric Vehicle Day events, including parking information and a schedule, visit .

An electric car is plugged in for charging by Alison Peters,managing director of the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at Ƶ-Boulder’s Leeds School of Business. (Photo courtesy of Beth Powell)