Transportation is a major source of carbon pollution in the United States. Clean methods of transportation need to be adopted and made accessible to curb emissions to mitigate the effects of climate change and increase air quality. While one way to do this is through public transit, as Austin recently vowed to do, consumers can also make a difference by opting for electric vehicles when possible.
Shopping for a new car can be stressful for everyone. The research and time commitment coupled with the financial decisions can intimidate even the most prepared. For consumers that go in looking to buy or even test drive an electric vehicle, their experience can be far less enjoyable.
In 2016, the Sierra Club launched the first Rev Up campaign to see if car dealerships were walking the walk when it came to sustainability. We asked volunteers to call dealerships or go in person and make a note of the availability, knowledge of the dealer, and overall experience of shopping for an electric vehicle. Their responses proved that even though sales of electric vehicles rose by 81% last year, it was in spite of their service, not because of it.
Reports from volunteers showed that the auto industry and dealers were doing the bare minimum when it came to educating their salespeople, maintaining inventory, or even marketing the electric vehicles effectively. In some cases, there weren’t even vehicles on the lot for volunteers to test drive, while others were not given the opportunity because the vehicles weren’t charged. When volunteers were able to cross this roadblock that does not exist for gas cars, often times the salesperson did not discuss ways that electric vehicles can become more accessible through rebates and tax credits.
In 2016, one volunteer from Texas reported that when he couldn’t locate a Chevy Volt near where he lived, he called their main headquarters to find out where he could test drive one. Unfortunately, he was told that there was not a Chevy Volt within a thousand miles of him.
Three years after the initial Rev Up Electric Vehicles campaign, the Sierra Club wants to know if anything has changed in the auto industry. Have dealerships changed to be more in line with the growing demand for electric vehicles? We’re relying on volunteers like you to call or visit your local dealership to find out during the Rev Up Electric Vehicles 2.0 campaign.
Whether you’re in the market for an EV, you’re curious for the future, or you just want to help, your participation will go a long way. We’ll provide all of the tools, and your efforts will provide us with critical information that we’ll compile into a comprehensive report. This will serve as an advocacy tool to put more pressure on automakers and dealers to do right by consumers who want to do right by the environment.
Sign up to help Rev Up EVs here!