Nissa Koerner, nissa.koerner@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC — Over the last seven years, National Drive Electric Week (NDEW) has inspired drivers to kick gas, and as the eighth annual NDEW launches today, it boasts more events than ever before. There are more than 320 events registered in all 50 states and several countries that feature plug-in electric vehicles (EVs). Through test drives, parades, news conferences, and announcements of new EV policies and programs, NDEW community events demonstrate how EVs are cleaner, cheaper, and more fun to operate than vehicles powered by fossil fuels. NDEW runs September 8th through 16th, and a full list of events can be found on the NDEW website.
“Over the past year, we’ve seen an exciting increase in EV driving across the country, with more individuals, cities, and states investing in electric cars, trucks, and buses than ever before. We’re in the middle of a transportation revolution, and the popularity of National Drive Electric Week events is proof that American consumers want 21st century solutions to transportation and climate disruption,” said Gina Coplon-Newfield, Sierra Club Clean Transportation for All Campaign Director.
EV drivers are no longer an anomaly. Electric cars are beginning to enter the mainstream, with more than 50 models currently on the market, and almost 200,000 EVs sold in the US this year -- an increase of 56% compared to this time last year. And automakers are taking notice of the increased interest: Mercedes-Benz just released a luxury SUV EV to begin production in early 2019, and Nissan announced its plans to sell one million EVs a year by 2022.
"National Drive Electric Week is such a great opportunity for Americans to celebrate the many benefits of driving electric," said Joel Levin, Executive Director of Plug In America. "From cleaner air to energy independence to the smooth, powerful ride, plug-in cars are just better than gas-guzzlers. And with so many models now available across the country, there's one for every family."
Here are some of the many great events happening around the country during NDEW:
A San Francisco event coincides with the Global Climate Action Summit, and is the only electric vehicle ride and drive event among the hundreds of climate events in S.F. that week.
Lyft will make an exciting EV-related announcement at the Atlanta, Georgia event.
The Governor of Vermont will be announcing the state’s $2.4 million Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment grant program, which is funded by proceeds from the Volkswagen settlement resulting from the automaker’s diesel emissions cheating scandal.
Prescott, Arizona will feature students of the Eagle Works: Advanced Vehicle Lab of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, who are attempting to design and build an electric vehicle that will break the current EV land speed record by going 250 miles per hour.
Watts, California will have EV drivers, car dealers, and ride share companies join public officials to help community residents learn about their options and the growing number of incentive programs of switching to EVs.
Last year, Poolesville, Maryland was one of the largest events in the country with 129 EVs in attendance. This year, their event promises live music, climbing walls, farm equipment and animals, a classic car show, a parade, and an all-electric police car from Hyattsville.
The event in Steilacoom, Washington will have over 22 public officials participate.
National Drive Electric Week is based on the idea that to convert gasoline-powered car owners to electric vehicles owners, nothing beats learning from existing owners and taking test drives in clean, quiet and powerful plug-in electric vehicles. The event showcases the cost savings, clean air benefits, and fun of plug-ins. Plug In America, the Sierra Club, and the Electric Auto Association partner with local groups to organize events, which typically feature all-electric and plug-in hybrid electric cars from many of the automakers on the market. Numerous past attendees from around the country have purchased or leased plug-ins as a direct result of Drive Electric Week events.Sales have jumped by as much as 28 percent the month after.
“National Drive Electric Week is such a special day. Across the country, this week, EV drivers and enthusiasts generously give of their time, engaging the public to share why they love driving electric. This person to person connection helps people get comfortable with the new energy source for their car. People really are craving an opportunity to make a personal choice away from dirty, old technology into the new technology that is better, faster, safer, and cheaper to own and operate. We give them a helping hand,” said Raejean Fellows, President of the Electric Auto Association.
Find an event near you and view previous media announcements and coverage.
Nissan and its all-electric LEAF have served as the event’s exclusive automotive sponsor since 2013. ClipperCreek, Inc. is also a returning national sponsor.
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About the Electric Auto Association: The Electric Auto Association, formed in 1967, is a nonprofit educational organization with 73 chapters worldwide that promotes the advancement and widespread adoption of electric vehicles. www.electricauto.org.
About Plug In America: Plug In America is a national nonprofit organization that works to accelerate the shift to plug-in vehicles powered by clean, affordable, domestic electricity to reduce our nation’s dependence on petroleum and improve the global environment. The organization conceived National Drive Electric Week and has advanced workplace charging by pioneering ride-and-drive events at such leading corporations as Google, Mattel and Paramount Pictures. It developed the world’s largest, most dedicated network of plug-in vehicle owners and drivers, many of whom have driven EVs for well over a decade. We drive electric. You can too. pluginamerica.org.
About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization with more than 3.5 million members and supporters and chapters in all 50 states. The Sierra Club’s national electric vehicles initiative advocates for a switch to EVs as one important way to reduce emissions and cut oil consumption. Sierra Club is proud to have been one of the three national groups organizing National Drive Electric Week since its inception in 2011. www.sierraclub.org/EVGuide.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.