Tree framing people hanging out around electric vehicles

This Drive Electric Earth Day event in Dallas, Texas, educated consumers about EVs, with owners answering commonly asked questions. This year’s events will also feature test drives and workshops.

This is an exhilarating time for electric vehicles. Manufacturers are introducing more and more new models, and EVs are part of the mainstream conversation now. Even though EV awareness among consumers has increased, we still have much work to do to educate people.

Drive Electric Earth Day, an annual campaign to increase education and awareness about electric vehicles (EVs), kicks off Saturday, April 1, 2023. This year’s initiative features 190 events spanning 40 states, Canada and Mexico. Events, both in person and online, will feature EV test drives, showcases, informative workshops, and other fun activities that highlight EVs’ environmental, performance, and cost-saving benefits.

“This is an exhilarating time for electric vehicles,” said Joel Levin, executive director of Plug In America, a national nonprofit whose mission is to accelerate the shift to EVs and one of the organizations behind Drive Electric Earth Day. “Manufacturers are introducing more and more new models, and EVs are part of the mainstream conversation now. Even though EV awareness among consumers has increased, we still have much work to do to educate people about how they work and what’s needed to power them. Driving electric is a fantastic experience, but it is different from a gas-powered car.”

Plug In America, the Electric Vehicle Association, EVHybridNoire and the Sierra Club teamed up to organize this year’s Drive Electric Earth Day. The groups recruit organizers to host local events that are registered on DriveElectricEarthDay.org. Then, EV drivers and the public can easily find the nearest event to them and sign up to volunteer or attend.

EV manufacturing and demand are taking off in the U.S., partly due to the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act last fall that allocated billions of dollars for EV consumer and commercial tax credits and charging infrastructure, among other things. Plug In America has seen a large uptick in questions about the electric experience and tax credits since last fall, and the organization expects a large attendance at this year’s Drive Electric events.

More than three million Americans have switched to electric vehicles, and there are more than 100 models on the market today. Drivers choose EVs for a variety of reasons. Some like how EVs improve air quality and public health because the automobiles don’t produce emissions on the road and they produce less carbon over their lifetime than their gas-powered counterparts. Other drivers love the cost savings EVs provide, since the vehicles are typically less expensive to fuel and maintain, as electricity prices are more stable than gasoline prices and there are fewer moving parts to break.

One thing that rarely fails to wow drivers is the performance of EVs. The ride is quiet and smooth with instant acceleration that is sure to thrill. “Once you drive electric, you won’t go back,” Levin said. “Come out to one of the events and see for yourself.”

National sponsors supporting Drive Electric Earth Day include Electrify America and Edison International.

To learn more about Drive Electric Earth Day or to RSVP for an event, visit https://driveelectricearthday.org/

About Plug In America

Plug In America is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the use of plug-in electric vehicles in the United States. Formed in 2008, Plug In America provides practical, objective information to consumers and dealerships about EVs through various programs, including National Drive Electric Week, Drive Electric Earth Day, PlugStar.com, and other public outreach events. With Plug In America’s coalition of plug-in vehicle drivers, policy experts and technical advisors, their expertise represents the world’s deepest pool of experience in driving and living with plug-in vehicles. The organization’s motto: “We drive electric. You can too.” Learn more at PlugInAmerica.org.

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