This weekend kicked off the 7th annual National Drive Electric Week, which sees electric vehicle advocates taking to the streets en masse with creative new ways to spread the word about electric vehicles. The week runs September 9–17 this year, which means two fun-filled weekends packed with events.
National Drive Electric Week events vary somewhat from city to city but typically consist of a crowdsourced auto show packed to the brim with plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, fully electric vehicles, and even the occasional hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, like the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell I ran into at the Drive Electric Week event in Oxnard, California, on Sunday.
The events are an amazing way for electric vehicle owners, enthusiasts, and activists to bring their vehicles out for the public to see. Some owners even give test drives to the public to give them what could be their first ride in an electric vehicle. Connecting the passion and experience from existing owners with the general public is a powerful way to encourage a transition to a lower carbon lifestyle.
In addition to the car show aspect of the events, activist groups and other businesses operating in the space typically come out to engage with the public. At the Oxnard event, for instance, the Community Environmental Council, EV Advocates of Ventura County, the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District, and the founders of EV Match (Shannon and Heather) were all out to show their support for electric vehicles and to engage with the local community face to face.
If you missed the big kickoff weekend, not to worry, because the event organizers stretched the definition of a week this year to encompass two full weekends, meaning more events for folks to attend. To find an event near you, head over to the National Drive Electric Week website to quickly plug in your zip code. Additionally, they have an interactive map that allows for easy navigation if you’re inspired to find events in the 3 neighboring states and make a road trip out of it.
For me, I will be headed down to Santa Monica on Friday for the Alt Car Expo and for the Drive Electric Week Event there just before it. If you’re in the greater Los Angeles area on Friday the 15th, stop by and say hi. I will be looking good in one of our very own CleanTechnica T-shirts and, if the weather holds, a pair of sunglasses. If you are not able to get down there on Friday, not to worry, as the event continues on Saturday the 16th as well.
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