Editor,

Regarding the articles on the power outage and local microgrid efforts, here’s an additional option: our electric car has an adapter that plugs into the charge port and allows us to pull power from the car battery. We installed a grid lockout (to protect PSE staff) and a generator input close to where we park. The car powered our fridge, lights and plugs (including WiFi and TV – no large appliances) for the entire outage. We used it nonstop for 39 hours and it only used 15% of the car’s battery charge. We are fortunate to have a propane fireplace for heat, and we cooked on the ventilated porch with a propane camp stove. But the point is these EVs have gigantic batteries sitting in the driveway or garage, capable of powering basic house lights, fridge and plugs for days.

Tom Walker

Whidbey