DEED sets records
More than 200 Drive Electric Earth Day events draw big numbers
Drive Electric Dayton’s Trotwood, Ohio DEED event at Trotwood-Madison High School
Drive Electric Earth Day (DEED), with more events across the U.S. and internationally in 2022 than ever before, was a success by all measures.
“Of course this was about the rise in demand for electric vehicles (EVs), but it was also because of the many great new models on the market that folks clearly wanted to see,” said Electric Vehicle Association President Elaine Borseth. Our chapter events featured EVs including the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Rivian, and even the Aptera.”
The EVA organized this year’s DEED with Plug In America, Sierra Club, and EV Hybridnoire. The 2022 Platinum Level sponsor was Wells Fargo, the Silver Level was Normal Now, and the Bronze Level was Edison International. Community Partners included Climate Action Reserve, Forth, and Virginia Clean Cities.
Members of the Gateway Electric Vehicle Association at the St. Louis DEED event
From established events to first-timers
Gateway Electric Vehicle Association’s (GEVA), participation in the St. Louis, Missouri Earthday365, one of the oldest and best attended Earth Day events in the country, brought attention from the local media.
“Our event took place on the site of the 1904 World’s Fair,” explained GEVA’s Dan Howard. “We used that backdrop to talk about some ideas we’ve had to improve and advance EV infrastructure and recharging solutions, and to end range anxiety.”
One of the newer EVA groups, the Trotwood, Ohio sector of the more established Drive Electric Dayton (DED), combined its EV Educational Showcase DEED event with a first birthday celebration. Highlights included a slide presentation at Trotwood-Madison High School to sophomores who were then treated to rides around the school’s parking lot courtesy of DED members.
EV slide presentation to sophomores at Trotwood-Madison High School
“The students, staff and EV drivers enjoyed the morning’s event,” said DED’s Rap Hankins. “It’s important that the younger generation understands the benefits of driving emission-free. Now, they all want one!”
Electric Auto Association San Joaquin Valley’s DEED event in Manteca, CA
Dave Atherton, President of Electric Auto Association San Joaquin Valley in California agreed with Hankins.
“I think we did a great job making sure our message came across,” Atherton said, noting that the local utility company included inserts promoting the chapter’s EV Expo event in billing statements sent out to customers. In addition, chapter members posted signs on street corners.
“We had a very visible location in a mall parking lot in Manteca,” said Atherton. “Visitors had a chance to see EVs like the Rivian R1T, and to converse with exhibitors including representatives from the Air District and other nonprofit organizations. The live band gave the event a party-like atmosphere.”
San Joaquin Valley EVA DEED event
The extras can make a difference
Music performances were featured at DEED events across the country, including those given by EVs themselves.
“We had a great response at our Winchester, Kentucky event when we had a shiny red Tesla pull out in front of the crowd to perform a light show to the tune of the University of Kentucky fight song ‘On, On, U of K,’” said Mike Proctor of Kentucky EVA chapter Evolve KY.
“We were also happy to see that the owner of a 2012 Nissan LEAF named ‘Cinnamon Roll’ made the most accurate guess as to how much cash was in the money jar at our local credit union’s tent,” Proctor continued. “She made off with $174.56.”
“We’re just so proud of all of these DEED events and many more,” concluded Borseth. “It just shows that commitment to advancing our cause is very much on the upswing.”
Electric Vehicle Association of San Diego’s DEED event in the Carlsbad Flower Fields