I love going to "Drive Electric Northern Colorado" events.  After all, who wouldn't want to spend two hours meeting awesome people and driving state-of-the-art cars?  And even though it was below freezing on Saturday at the Promenade shops at Centerra, it was by far my favorite Drive Electric event yet!

At the last Drive Electric event I went to, I had the chance to drive the Chevy Volt (CLICK HERE for that video).  This time, I started off with the Nissan Leaf.

Drew Cuthbertson, TSM
Drew Cuthbertson, TSM
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It was a lot of fun.  I'm still baffled by the amount of power electric cars have.  At one point, I was going 50 miles per hour without even realizing it!  I also learned all about how regenerative braking charges the Leaf's battery, increasing the range by several miles in most cases.

Once my time with the Leaf was over, I stepped back into the cold to chat with some people at the Drive Electric booth.  Several minutes later, I gasped as I saw another electric car arrive on the scene.  It was a car I've wanted do drive for years, but I was convinced I would never even get close to one.  And yet, there it was, right in front of me.

The Tesla Model S.

Dan Contouris, TSM
Dan Contouris, TSM
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Drew Cuthbertson, TSM
Drew Cuthbertson, TSM
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The most advanced (and expensive) electric car around was staring me in the face.  I was giddy.  There was, of course, a long list of people wanting to get behind the wheel of the Model S, myself included.

And, after waiting in the cold for another 30 minutes or so, I got my chance.

Dan Contouris, TSM
Dan Contouris, TSM
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It was absolutely amazing (and for $80,000, it should be)!  Powerful, luxurious, and not a drop of gas required.  Even if I never get near a Tesla again, it was worth standing in the cold for so long to have that single opportunity to drive one.

Even with the weather getting worse and my once-in-a-lifetime test drive behind me, the fun didn't stop there.  I had the chance to talk to Paul from Spradley Barr Ford in Fort Collins about the Fort Fusion Hybrid and Fort Focus Electric, both of which sported some amazing technology.  Check out the video below. (I apologize for my stammering.  It was really cold out there!)

Dan Contouris, TSM
Dan Contouris, TSM
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Drew Cuthbertson, TSM
Drew Cuthbertson, TSM
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So yes, it was cold and yes, it was snowing; but it was worth it to be a part of such a great event.  So, Drive electric, northern Colorado!

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