On Sept. 23, De Anza College hosted the 40th annual Electric Vehicle Rally. Held by the Electric Automobile Association (EAA), the rally consisted of a static display of electric vehicles and a test-drive area for automobiles, bikes and scooters. Manufacturers also set up booths in a vendor section for electric car dealers and companies. In addition, raffles were held for prizes from sponsors, including gift certificates to charging stations.

The rally featured distinctive changes from the previous ones. Past rallies have mainly featured conversion vehicles, cars that members have converted to electric themselves. Although local resident David Herron did not convert his own electric car, a 1971 Karmann Ghia, he attends the event every year.

“It’s grown so much since last year and the year before,” Herron said. “Most of the time it’s been people with their conversion cars, but now there’s also a lot of commercial cars.”

Most notable of the car manufacturers present at the rally were Toyota and Tesla. Although companies like Tesla have been manufacturing electric cars for years, according to 3-year EAA member Ed Savage, conversion cars have also made some big strides.

“The technology is way over my head, but it’s fun to watch,” Savage said. “Tesla proved there’s a market, and the [EAA] guys proved it can be done.”

Savage enjoys going to the EAA’s meetings and viewing which types of cars people are using. To him, the future of the automobile industry lies with electric cars.

“Unless they find a less expensive way to build fuel cells, I think the electric has a much better future than anything else so far,” he said.