Chapter News: Expanding EV access in a non-ZEV state
The Dayton chapter of the Electric Auto Association steps up support of clean energy initiatives, including the expansion of opportunities for purchasing and leasing of electric vehicles in Ohio.
Three EV’s from Drive Electric Dayton were recently featured in the city’s July 4th Huber Heights Star-Spangled Parade.
Drive Electric Dayton, the Dayton, Ohio chapter of the Electric Auto Association, is stepping up its advocacy for a cleaner world, seemingly inspired by the call for change that has been resonating around the country. This work could very well become a model for other Electric Auto Association chapters in non-ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) states.
“Since the pandemic started, we’ve held a series of Zoom gatherings where interest has been very high,” said Drive Electric Dayton’s president Tim Benford, who recently served as Vice-President of the national Electric Auto Association. “We’re always doing our best to help accelerate the adoption of sustainable energy and transportation through education and familiarization.”
Promoting equality for all…
On June 13, Drive Electric Dayton members formed a phalanx of electric vehicles to participate in the Caravan for Unity, organized to express support for social justice and community dialogue. They were among a line of vehicles, blocks long, that headed down the west side of the Great Miami River and then crossed the bridge into downtown Dayton. Passing by the Walter H. Rice Federal Building and Courthouse, drivers honked horns and yelled from open windows.
“It was great to see our members joining together,” said Benford. “By showcasing their EV’s, they were making a statement within a statement.”
Promoting energy for all…
Drive Electric Dayton has been involved in other forms of green advocacy, specifically in support of solar energy adoption.
“We’re encouraging our membership and others in the community to go solar with their homes, and we help them get there,” said Benford. “Our long term goal is to see electric vehicles all over Dayton that are running on solar power generated by the car owners themselves. We have connections with the solar industry where we have a back and forth dialogue.”
Promoting EV adoption in Dayton…
Drive Electric’s Zoom gatherings have featured speakers who have addressed concerns around the difficulty in buying or leasing electric vehicles in Ohio, a state that has not adopted anything similar to California’s ZEV incentive policies. In fact, of the 531 members of Drive Electric Dayton, 310 have yet to acquire an electric vehicle.
“If you live in Dayton, it’s hard to get an EV unless it’s a Tesla, and for that you have to go to Cincinnati,” Benford explained. “It’s pretty much impossible to either purchase or lease a Chevrolet Bolt here, or for that matter, anywhere in Ohio. The fact that we have no state incentives is a big factor.”
Irv Moscowitz, one of Drive Electric’s recent speakers, agreed with Benford. Said the CEO of Burhill Leasing, a longtime Dayton establishment, “You can’t get a Bolt, and you can’t lease a Kia or a Nissan EV either.”
“Electric vehicles aren’t selling well here, so the dealerships just don’t stock them,” Moscowitz explained. “In some cases, the dealerships have yet to pass certification on servicing electric vehicles, so the manufacturers won’t allow the sale.”
“I’ve been in the car leasing industry since 1976, and things are always changing,” Moscowitz continued. “Right now our job at Burhill is to match potential EV customers in Ohio with a car they want, and to do it as economically as possible. It’s not one-size-fits-all; every customer has different needs when it comes to affordability, annual mileage, vehicle size, and preferences for speed, luxury, and utility. It has to be the right fit.”
Burhill has access to the new, wholesale, and used EV markets, including the aftermarket car auctions around the country.
“With lease programs, we can go through a variety of lenders, and again, that’s not one size fits all,” said Moscowitz, who explained that he is always looking for new lenders: “We try to be ahead of the curve in finding the best programs. Sometimes there can be a lot of fine print. That’s what we’re trying to avoid for everyone.”
“The more loans we can find for people, the more EV’s get on the road, and the more the synergy will build,” he continued.
Chris Celek, a second featured guest at Drive Electric’s Zoom gatherings, also gave useful tips on finding the appropriate used electric vehicle. This included knowing where to look and what features to look for, and understanding the tools available to locate and evaluate the possibilities.
Change coming around the corner
Moscowitz appreciates Electric Drive Dayton for its support in helping him expand the lease and purchase options in Ohio. “Tim Benford sends me information on electric vehicles and clean energy, and I send him information on the auto industry and leasing,” Moscowitz said, explaining that he believes that the state is on the cusp of a significant jump in electric vehicle interest.
“This is a big truck area. A lot of people drive pick-ups even if they don’t really need them. Now you’ve got Ford bringing out the F-150 EV, and GM introducing the Chevrolet Silverado EV, and then you have new companies with other new truck models. On top of that, Chrysler is introducing the Pacifica, an electric van. As people see vehicles coming out on the market that match their lifestyles and price ranges, there’s no doubt it will fuel the demand.”
“This is a grassroots kind of a thing, concluded Benford. “It’s the people of this city, of this state, who need to pressure the industry and the government into making EV’s more available. We’re here to help move that forward.”