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Lignite Council has an electric car

Lignite Energy Council

The Lignite Energy Council has an unusual SUV.

It's a Tesla Model X -- an electric car.

"It seats 7 people," said Council Executive Director Jason Bohrer. "It allows us to replicate what a small SUV does in somebody's life. We want to find out what it's like to be driving around in an electric vehicle versus the internal combustion engine."

Bohrer said it’s another way for North Dakotans to power their car with North Dakota energy, made from lignite coal. And he said it is not a slap at the state’s oil industry.

"I say, everyone in North Dakota ought to have an SUV and an electric vehicle," Bohrer said.

Bohrer saidboth complement each other.

"Honestly, if you have a car that you need to run errands around town, an electric car is perfect," Bohrer said. "It immediately has get-up-and-go, and it's a great second vehicle."

Bohrer said an electric car is probably not anyone's primary vehicle yet.

"You probably couldn't live life in North Dakota with just an electric vehicle," Bohrer said.

Bohrer said one of the strategic priorities for the Council is to explore emerging markets for lignite. And he said this has the potential to increase the demand for electricity in North Dakota.