National Drive Electric Week

National Drive Electric Week (formerly National Plug In Day) is an annual observance designed to showcase electric vehicles (EV). EV charging demonstrations, solar power displays, music, food, and family activities are part of the mix.

The observance is organized nationally by Plug In America, the Sierra Club, and the Electric Auto Association, who team with groups and agencies across the country to put on local events. Speakers include elected officials, academics and researchers, utility officials, renewable energy experts, environmental leaders and long-time EV drivers. In 2013, California Gov. Jerry Brown marked National Drive Electric Week by signing six EV-friendly bills.[1]

National Drive Electric Week has been linked to increased plug-in vehicle sales, which have jumped by as much as 23 percent the month after the event in every year it has been held.[2]

History

National Drive Electric Week was conceived in 2011 by long-time EV drivers Jeff U’Ren and Zan Dubin-Scott. The first event took place in 21 cities in 2011.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Green Car Reports - "CA Governor Brown Signs Six Bills to Promote Plug-In Electric Cars"
  2. ↑ Plug In America, "National Drive Electric Week, EV Sales Bump"
  3. ↑ Carpenter, Susan (October 10, 2011). "Get your EVs running: First National Plug In Day is Oct. 16". LA Times. Retrieved 22 September 2014.