Interview with Lane Gosnay, Solar Car Driver & Owner of The Bugle Boy

Noise. Noise. Noise. It is what one hears above the music at many concerts these days as excessive chatter, cell phone usage, and appliances often drown out the performer. This is not the case at the Bugle Boy in La Grange, TX. The Bugle Boy is a listening room by definition, where the music is what the audience is there for.

Noise is also what one hears on the street as internal combustion engines drown out the sounds of nature's concert. Again, this is not the case for Lane Gosnay, owner of the Bugle Boy. She has recently invested in a solar powered electric truck for her commute. It is powered by the sun, with help from the grid.

The following is an interview with Lane Gosnay, who is revitalizing the concert experience as well as the way to get there:

Was there a catalyst for your decision to purchase a solar electric vehicle? Was there a last straw or was it a culmination of things? In other words, why now?

Actually, I made the decision to purchase the Solar Truck last summer when gas prices were around the $2 + range after watching the documentary, Who Killed The Electric Car. That show really put things into perspective for me and I realized that change would only come through the pressure of the people. Now, that gas is $4 or more a gallon, folks are educating themselves on the alternatives. I don?t recommend that anyone purchase a gas only vehicle. Hold out for an all electric or hybrid model or plan on getting stuck with your gas only model in the not too distant future.

Do you ever have to supplement the energy needed for your vehicle from the grid ? Or do the solar panels provide enough energy for all of your driving needs?

My vehicle is a plug-in and the solar panel assists with charging during the day while running errands. If all four batteries were completely dead, I understand that it would take 2 full days of sun to charge them completely. If I plug the vehicle in at night, the cost is around .30 cents to charge the batteries from completely dead. In a typical day, I probably drive the Solar Truck approximately 15 miles and it usually leaves me with half a charge by the end of the day. The optimum situation is to have your home powered on solar, wind or a combination thereof where your vehicle would be charged without tapping into the grid at all.

What sort of reactions do you get from other drivers on the street?

As probably expected, I get a great deal of attention. Everyday my life is a parade. Truckers give me a friendly honk. Other drivers stare, wave or give me a thumbs up and most are all smiling including me. I enjoy talking to folks about the vehicle. It is a great educational tool.

How much does a Sunn Electric vehicle cost and how can a gasoline addict get a prescription for one?

I ordered the truck from Art Haines out of Maine. The basic price is about $5,500 but you can get more information about the solar truck at Art?s website at www.sunnev.com.

What other green projects do you have in store for the Bugle Boy?

I'd like to eventually power The Bugle Boy with an alternative energy source such as solar or wind, but for now I am enjoying getting around at no cost and being a part of something world changing. I'd like to see everyone take a hard look at what they are doing to preserve the natural resources we have and I challenge everyone to be inventive and become part of the preservation solution. The internet is a vast source of amazing information. A simple search of "solar trucks," "electric vehicles," "no gas," ?water conversion kits? or "magnet motors" will bring up several links to people manufacturing alternative energy solutions out of their own garages. Folks are taking out the engines in their cars and trucks and replacing them with electric motors. Others have invented working magnet motors or are converting existing gasoline engines to run with water increasing fuel efficiency by 40% or more. These are exciting times because information is viral over the internet and people can share the things that they are inventing. Real change will be driven by the people. I have launched a web page called www.nogasneeded.com where I have listed links to some informative and interesting things that I have found online.

Lane Gosnay is the owner of The Bugle Boy which was recently named the "Best Little Listening Room in Texas" by Texas Music Magazine. For more information, pictures and videos of the Lane's new SUNN Electric solar pick up truck, go to www.nogasneeded.com. Also be sure to check out The Bugle Boy at www.thebugleboy.com.

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