Electric vehicle technology showcased at Cleco Power hosted expo

Central Louisiana officials got a taste of electric vehicle technology Tuesday at the Cleco Power’s EV Ride and Drive Expo, officials said.

The event, which showcased the economic and environmental benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) and provided attendees with the opportunity to drive EVs, was held at Cleco Power’s Pineville headquarters, and featured exhibits from Louisiana Clean Fuels, Drive Electric Louisiana, local car dealerships and private EV owners.

“This was a unique opportunity to learn and get behind the wheel of an EV,” said Jay McCalmont, Cleco Power’s director of transformation and innovation. “We partnered with experts for hands-on learning, and they shared that knowledge with us and our community leaders.”

Cleco Power, a subsidiary of Cleco Corporate Holdings LLC, is a regulated electric public utility with 9 generating units that provide 946 Mw of power for 290,000 customers in 24 of Louisiana’s parishes. The company has 1,335 miles of transmission lines and 12,152 miles of distribution lines. Cleco Power said its long-term sustainability goal is to reduce its emissions by 60 percent in 2030, and to reach zero emissions by 2050 through decarbonization.

“The adoption of EVs is an electrification initiative that supports sustainability, and we’re seeing a growing focus on electrification across multiple industries, including the energy, transportation and industrial industries,” said Shane Hilton, president of Cleco Power. “Electrification will cut emissions and help us decarbonize… Sustainability is driving decarbonization. When we are more sustainable, we can meet current needs as well as protect the planet for future generations, which includes Louisiana families.”