A week of impact, online and off
National Drive Electric Week spread the word across the country and beyond
By: Guy Hall, Secretary, Electric Auto Association
2019 National Drive Electric event
Despite the pandemic, the 2020 National Drive Electric Week, recently concluded on October 4, was more wide-ranging than ever this year with both online and in-person events on exciting electric car news.
This was the first year attendees could attend virtual events across the globe. Electric Auto Association chapters from large metropolitan cities to rural communities turned to virtual events to educate about electric vehicle (EV) charging, range, vehicle types, their technology, careers in EVs, and dispelling myths.
Included were ever-expanding opportunities for electric vehicle (EV) production companies from one end of the supply chain to the other, as well as for environmental and government agencies, to support, sponsor and participate at the national, state, and local levels.
The event, held in over 130 locations across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and New Zealand, was the result of a collaboration between the Electric Auto Association, Plug- in America, and the Sierra Club.
“We were very excited by the innovative events our chapters hosted,” said April Bolduc, President of the Electric Auto Association. “I loved engaging with chapter volunteers from so many other states, all in one week. It really was fantastic.”
2020 National Drive Electric Week
In 2019, NDEW included 324 events covering all 50 states and eight countries which collectively reached more than 100,000 people and conducted more than 11,000 test rides/drives. This year’s event, sponsored by Nissan LEAF, Clipper Creek, Enel X Electric Edison Institute (EEI), EVgo, Electrify America, and on a statewide level in California, the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, reached past those numbers.
Promoting a seamless transition from ICE to EV
Showcased were plug-in vehicles and plug-in hybrid-electric cars, motorcycles, and trucks. Motorists were given many opportunities to discover that current EV technology, economics and convenience make switching from gasoline to emission-free vehicles an easy proposition.
Electric utilities demonstrated their commitment to ongoing efforts to convert their fleets of company cars and maintenance vehicles. Said EEI President Tom Kuhn: “Investing in electric vehicle charging infrastructure and accelerating electric transportation benefits customers, the environment, and the energy grid.”
2019 NDEW event in Birmingham, Alabama
In addition to uniting pro-EV organizations on the national level, the event also brought together local organizations. In Birmingham, Alabama, for example, local events were sponsored by Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition , Univerity of Alabama Sustainability, Alabama Power Company, the City of Birmingham, and the Zero Emissions Owners Group.
The event also enabled local officials to feature their own personal EV choices. In San Luis Obispo (SLO), California, that included Mayor Heidi Harmon, who owns an electric bike, as well as Green Transportation Specialist for SLO Climate Coalition Barry Rands, who has been driving an EV for seven years.
In fact, the week turned out to be very well-timed in California, where NDEW came three days after Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order ending the sale of gasoline-run cars in the state by 2035.