Route Zero Relay Kicks Off EV Road Trip

 

The inaugural Route Zero Road Trip — see scheduled — targets clean air standards and the open road with American-powered electric vehicles visiting Old Route 66 destinations.

Route Zero Road Trip celebrates clean air standards and American-powered electric vehicles by visiting destinations on the old Route 66.

While many have visited the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles, many don’t know it’s the endpoint for the old Route 66. For zero-emission enthusiasts and EV road trip lovers, the Santa Monica pier will be the starting point for the Route Zero Relay on Thurs., April 27 and continues through June. The cross-country Route Zero road trip highlights the push for more robust air standards and no-emission vehicles — both consumer and commercial.

The Route Zero Road Trip schedule is below, and the EVA is looking for drivers to take the “baton” from one city to another. We’re also looking for drivers and EVA chapter members to support the event’s multiple stops, featuring a variety of EV models and driver experiences — Fill out this form here.

All EVA local chapters are invited to these events, where they can bring their EVs and educate attendees and the press. Each stop will different but some will include press conferences, local speakers on no-emission or EV topics, and informal EV car showcases. Please contact the EVA President, Elaine Borseth at elaineborseth@myeva.org, or Grant Gerke, Senior Communications Specialist grantgerke@myeva.org.

We will also provide social media hashtags as the event gets closer, as the relay event will include charging station images and other fun pictures.

Route Zero Relay Cities

Below is the Route Zero Relay schedule as of May 1, 2023, and please visit here as these dates become finalized during May.

  1. Los Angeles, Thurs., April 27th — See photos and articles about the Santa Monica event. A member of the Union of Concerned Scientists will be driving to Flagstaff, AZ, and podcasting along the way. Be sure to follow on Twitter; information to come.

  2. Flagstaff, AZ, Fri., April 28 - See photos of the stop!

  3. Santa Fe, NM, Sun., April 30 - See photos of the stop!

  4. Kansas City, MO, Wed., May 3 - Berkley Riverfront Park
    Featured Speaker: KC Mayor Quinton Lucas.
    Event time: 11:15 AM CT.

  5. Joliet, IL (near Chicago), Sun, May 7 - Joliet Community College at the EV Charging Stations.
    1215 Houbolt Rd., Joliet, IL

  6. Detroit, MI
    Tentatively May 16, 17, or 18

  7. Cleveland, OH - June

  8. Pittsburgh, PA - June

  9. Baltimore, MD - June

  10. Washington D.C. - June

  • The White House has a goal for 50% of all auto sales to be electric by 2030 under its EV Acceleration Challenge. In late March, the White House released its fact sheet on EV charging investments, federal fleet plans, and partner agreements to make this happen. We're doing our part, as the EVA and other associations are committed to hosting more than 300 EV events in 2023. See more on the EV fact sheet.

Find the Most Up-to-Date EV Tax Credit Guide

The IRA federal EV tax credit has numerous battery material and domestic manufacturing requirements. Download our EV Tax Credit Guide and find which EV models make the cut for a full or half tax credit as of early April 2023.

 
Current Events, Electric VehiclesGrant Gerke