Southern chapters embrace EV inclusion
Increased diversity seen in 2021 National Drive Electric Week events
EV Club of the South NDEW event in the Atlanta area
Electric Auto Association (EAA) chapters in the southern U.S. states experienced an increase in diversity when it came to this year’s National Drive Electric Week events.
These chapters included EV Club of the South in Atlanta, as well as the Central Florida Electric Vehicle Association (CFEVA). In both cases, this was due to partnerships with EVHybridNoire, an EAA sister organization that advocates for e-mobility solutions in underserved communities.
“It was great to see so many more people of color among the participants,” said Larry Wexler, CFEVA President about the chapter’s event in the Orlando area. “It was a big step up from our previous efforts”
“We definitely had a more diverse crowd of participants this year,” said Anne Blair, president of EV Club of the South in Atlanta. “We’ve done a lot of outreach with diversity in mind, and so has EVNoire. It definitely paid off at our big event at Northpoint Mall.”
Blair explained that “Historically, we haven’t had much diversity in our chapter. Now, we’re partnering with EVNoire as much as we can. We get along very well with them, we share resources, and we promote events together. It’s been a very valuable relationship.”
“It’s been exciting to see things change so rapidly as people learn about these cool new vehicles,” Blair continued. “When I became involved in 2011, there was virtually no diversity in our club. For many years, it has primarily included older white men in the tech, telecommunications, power, or other leading businesses in and around Atlanta.”
EV Club of the South NDEW event in the Atlanta area
Compelling diversity discussions
As part of their Electricarpalooza 2021, the Drive Electric RVA chapter in Richmond, Virginia hosted a seminar now viewable online, Building a a new (and better) model for transportation, that included an in-depth discussion of racial equity and diversity issues.
“Making sure nobody is left behind is part of building a better model,” said Charles Gerena, Lead Organizer of Drive Electric RVA, about what was discussed at the seminar held at the Perkinson Center for the Arts in Chester, Virginia. “For the time being, EVs are more expensive than comparable gasoline cars. We can’t just say, ‘electrify.’ Some people just can’t afford one.”
“Sometimes the people who will most benefit from the long-term reduction in operating costs can’t afford the price differential upfront,” he continued. “That’s why a point of sale rebate is the ideal form of addressing the price differential.”
Drive Electric RVA NDEW event in Virginia
In a second panel discussion at Perkinson, “EV Mythbusting,” it was discussed how underserved communities would reap the benefits of cleaner air from EVs.
“It was pointed out that even folks who don’t have an EV will benefit from the cleaner air that EV adoption brings,” said Zack Hurst, a Richmond chapter member and founder of EV Resource, who participated on the panel.
“We need to figure out a way to make EVs accessible to somebody on food stamps, somebody who lives below the poverty line,” Hurst continued. “At the local level, chargers can be installed. That’s a line item that can be added that could help with infrastructure concerns.”
“What you use as transportation can impact your job and family situation,” Hurst emphasized. “Maybe the money you save on gas with an EV means you can get a better job that’s just a little farther away. Something like that can make a huge difference. The ripple effect is always there.”
Post-NDEW outreach event hosted by Drive Electric RVA at the the Richmond, Virginia Home Show.