This fall, the Trump administration plans to roll back one of the most effective climate policies on the books -- the clean car standards -- which would eliminate 6 billion tons of dangerous carbon pollution, save the US billions of barrels of oil, and save American families thousands of dollars at the pump by 2025. As the Sierra Club and millions of Americans advocate to maintain these fuel-efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions standards, we are also committed to expanding the reach of our grassroots, solutions-based advocacy focused on promoting electric vehicles.
The vehicles lowest in emissions and fueling costs are electric. This month -- between September 14 and 22 -- is the annual National Drive Electric Week (NDEW), a coast-to-coast celebration with hundreds of local events that promote electric vehicles and their environmental, health, and consumer savings.
EVs represent the future of clean, pollution-free driving. A recent survey by Consumer Reports and the Union of Concerned Scientists showed that more than 60% of prospective car buyers in the US are interested in electric vehicles. Public interest, across geography and income levels, is growing.
And despite the overall weak efforts of the auto industry to market EVs, there are shifting winds among automakers too. Major brands have recently announced plans to invest in full-electric models only (as opposed to continuing to invest in hybrids) because they can’t ignore the inevitability of an electric future. With communities experiencing more frequent and stronger climate disasters and public health taking hits from dangerous vehicle pollution, the need is dire and the stakes to promote electrification are as high as ever.
National Drive Electric Week plays a big role in educating people about rebates, charging, and any other questions that people may have EVs, in busting misconceptions (fueled by fossil fuel interests trying to hinder EV adoption), and in getting people who are charged up about EVs to spread the enthusiasm.
Now in its ninth year, the Sierra Club has been organizing NDEW since 2011 when there were just 25 events. Last year, alongside our national partners Plug In America and the Electric Auto Association as well as many local city captains, we mobilized more than 180,000 people to attend hundreds of events across all 50 states and three different nations.
At last year's NDEW event in Lowell, Massachusetss, in addition to the car test drives and demos, there was a kids zone complete with a small electric car, electric bike demo rides from a bike store, and tents from the Sierra Club, 350.org, clean energy companies (Revision Energy), and the Green Energy Consumers Alliance (Photo by Geoffrey Koetsch)
NDEW Past & Present: Nine Years Strong
We’re expecting National Drive Electric Week 2019 to be even bigger and better. More than 30 Sierra Club state chapters are engaging with the two-week celebration of electric vehicles -- hosting their own events, hosting a booth at an event, or spreading the word about events in their local communities. In Michigan, Paul Pancella -- leader of the Sierra Club’s Southwest Michigan Group, physics professor, and EV enthusiast -- will give a “Why Drive Electric?” presentation at a ride-and-drive NDEW event in Hastings, Michigan. (In 2008, Paul got tired of waiting for automakers to get going on electric vehicles, so he took matters into his own hands and converted his 1992 Honda Civic from gas-powered to electric.)
Some of the top NDEW events this year, which are expected to attract hundreds or thousands of people, are in diverse locations and span across regions, from Atlanta, Georgia to Irving, Texas, to Poolesville, Maryland.
Atlanta will host the largest EV event in the Southeast and one of the most diverse events in the country, with special appearances from national EV influencers, organized by EVHybridNoire and EV Club of the South, among other supporting groups. With members from all over the US, Canada, Europe, and South Africa, EVHybridNoire is the largest network of diverse EV drivers and enthusiasts, seeking to shift the narrative around what an EV driver looks like. The organization focuses on increasing the number of diverse EV drivers and addressing the specific needs of disadvantaged communities through education, awareness, advocacy, and data collection, and by providing resources and access to underserved communities around affordable, clean, and sustainable transportation.
In Florida, the mayor of Fort Lauderdale will be proclaiming “Drive Electric Week Fort Lauderdale” and speaking about local sustainability at the city’s local NDEW event.
Last year, five governors from the states of New Jersey, New Hampshire, Washington, Vermont, and Connecticut announced Drive Electric Week proclamations. We can’t wait to see what will be unveiled this year, like city or state declarations, the announcement of new charging stations, and launches of EV public education programs.
Make the Most of Your NDEW Experience
The crowd checks out EVs at Poolesville's NDEW event in 2018, where Governor Hogan of Maryland paid a visit (Photo by JD Taylor)
More than 40 models of electric vehicles are now available, including newer models that can travel more than 200 miles on a single charge. Event attendees can expect to see a wide showcase of EV models at local NDEW events, including the Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf, Chevy Bolt, Toyota Prius Prime, Audi E-tron, Chevy Volt, BMW i3, Volkswagen E-Golf, and the Kia Soul.
- Get Curious: There will be knowledgeable EV enthusiasts at your community’s local event eager to display their own EVs and share their experiences. This is your opportunity to ask questions and come out knowing more than you did before!
- Get In: Don’t miss out on participating in a “Ride and Drive,” which will allow you to test drive or be in the passenger seat of an EV so that you can see firsthand for yourself how fast, quiet, powerful, and technologically advanced these cars are.
- Get the Bigger Picture: Interact with vendors to learn more about energy-efficient products and how they are contributing to a clean transportation revolution.
- Get Informed: Be on the lookout for your local elected officials! They may be unveiling new policies to accelerate EV adoption or speaking to the entire audience about the benefits and future your community has with EVs on the road.
We hope to see you at a local NDEW event! Find one near you and register HERE.