Generation180 and its partners are hosting four, free community events showcasing electric cars in Richmond, Charlottesville, Fairfax and Roanoke this month.
The events kick off Electrify Your Ride VA, a new statewide education campaign to accelerate the region’s transition to electric transportation. Campaign partners include fellow nonprofits Green Energy Consumers Alliances and Virginia Clean Cities.
At each outdoor event, community members can sit behind the wheel of various models on display, take a drive in some locations, and enjoy free food, refreshments, and giveaways. They can also learn first-hand from the vehicles’ owners about the multiple benefits of switching from gas-powered to electric cars.
“Electric cars are really fun to drive and save you a lot of time and money when it comes to fewer trips to the gas station and lower car maintenance. What’s more, driving electric reduces fossil fuel emissions, which is better for our air quality and our environment,” said Wendy Philleo, Generation180’s executive director. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, by switching from a gas-powered to an electric vehicle, the average Virginia resident could reduce CO2 emissions of their drive by 70 percent or more.
Generation180 and partners have also negotiated new discounts on EV purchases with local car dealerships that will be offered later this fall to Virginia residents.
“We’re thrilled to be out in the community sharing information with local residents and partnering with auto dealers to help make electric cars even more affordable and accessible for Virginians,” said Alleyn Harned, executive director of Virginia Clean Cities.
Electrify Your Ride VA’s first round of events is taking place from September 14 to 22 in coordination with National Drive Electric Week. More details are below:
- Richmond: Sept. 14 – 9am to 1pm at Dorey Park Farmers Market
- Charlottesville: Sept. 15 – 10am to 2pm at Sprint Pavillion
- Roanoke: Sept. 21 – 9am to 1pm at Church Ave. & S. Jefferson St.
- Fairfax: Sept. 22 – 10am to 2pm at Old Town Square Park
About Generation180
Generation180 is a non-profit committed to inspiring, empowering, and equipping individuals to take action on clean energy in their homes and communities. The founding of Generation180 was prompted by a growing realization that we’re at a tipping point in our country’s transition to clean energy. The convergence of macro trends across the power, commercial, finance, and political sectors, as well as the arrival of rooftop solar power and electric vehicles to the mass market, have made it possible for our generation to fundamentally change our direction. We can now dramatically accelerate the arrival of a 100% clean energy future.
About Virginia Clean Cities
Virginia Clean Cities works with stakeholders in the Commonwealth on programs to improve air quality and increase American energy security and economic opportunity through the increased use of alternative fuels and vehicles. Operating since 1996, Virginia Clean Cities has successfully managed tens of millions of dollars of federal, state, and stakeholder vehicle and infrastructure programs from offices on the James Madison University campus in Harrisonburg VA.
About Green Energy Consumers Alliance
Green Energy Consumers Alliance is a non-profit that enables people to make green energy choices in the most cost-effective and practical ways possible, and to advocate for energy policies that benefit everyone. We harness the collective power and interests of people and providers to make green energy options not just the right decision for our planet, but the smart choice for our lives—today, tomorrow, and beyond.
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Chris Graham
