The excitement over National Drive Electric Week from Sept. 19 to Oct. 2 was palpable at the Channel Islands Harbor show on Sunday, Sept. 26.
“More cars, more people and more fun,” exclaimed Kent Bullard, Transportation Chair of our Los Padres Chapter, Sierra Club and member of the EV Advocates of Ventura County, both of whom sponsored the event. Heather Allen was a co-chair with Kent at the Oxnard event, the fifth at that popular location.
Meanwhile, the SB Community Environmental Council conducted a smaller in-person event at the Goleta Farmers’ Market that added electric bikes available for test riding, also on that Sunday. Due to further efforts by Michael Chiacos, CEC expanded its efforts virtually, with a webinar session on Sept. 28 that featured experts in the field sharing everything you need to know to start driving electric. It’s still available here:
www.electricdrive805.org/webinars
“The designated week is a reminder than transportation is the leading cause of greenhouse gas in California,” Chiacos said.
Wait, there’s more! The non-profit Plug-In America has handy guides to help you find the car that best meets your needs. There you can also learn about tax credits, rebates and other incentives, prepare your home for EV charging and get connected with a qualified EV dealer near you. Go to:
Bullard said the Oxnard show had over 50 EV drivers who shared their vehicles with the public numbering about 500 potential EV adopters. “There was a lot of networking and Q & A going on, we are sure the participants benefited from meeting you and learning from your EV experience,” he wrote in a letter of thanks to the volunteer EV owners.
“EVs can save people hundreds of dollars a month on transportation costs, especially when they can utilize local and state EV incentives,” commented Jen Hernández, CEC’s Energy & Climate Associate who recently used incentives to get her own clean vehicle. Speaking to why more people do not take advantage of the incentives, Hernández noted, “Until you start to do the research about potential savings and see EV options that are available, it is not always clear how an EV can fit your lifestyle and budget.”
Besides the practical effects of driving an EV is the personal satisfaction. “It’s a quiet, glide ride,” said Condor John Hankins who has driven a Hyundai Electric for nearly three years, along with his wife Suz’s Prius hybrid which is clocking in at over 100mpg around town. They also own electric trikes and a scooter and power their house with the sun.
Famous people who have driven an EV for the first time – President Biden, Anderson Cooper and Bill Nye the Science Guy – all said it brings a smile to their face that stayed on throughout their drive.
Same with Hieu Le, Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation rep: “After an exciting announcement from President Biden on a plan to make 50% of new cars electric by 2030, I recently rented an EV to see what all the hype was about. I was shocked by how fun it was to drive -- all while not polluting our air and climate.”
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