National Drive Electric Week is an annual nationwide celebration to heighten awareness of both the widespread availability and benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric cars, trucks, motorcycles and more.

“Because there is nothing like seeing, touching and test driving electric vehicles first-hand, what is now National Drive Electric Week was created so people could meet electric vehicle (EV) drivers and learn about EVs in a relaxed, non-sales environment,” said Noah Barnes, Director of Communications & Individual Giving at Plug In America.

The event began in 2011 as National Plug-In Day, with 25 events across the country. At that time, the first of the current generation EVs, such as the Nissan LEAF and the Chevy Volt, were beginning to come out – but awareness of these vehicles was low, Barnes said. Since then, it has grown to encompass a full week of events, with last year’s events including 321 events in all 50 states. The event has grown every year, just as the number of Americans switching to electric vehicles has grown each year since 2011, Barnes said.

“Electric vehicles are a win-win on many fronts: they reduce greenhouse gases, are less expensive to fuel, require less maintenance, produce domestic jobs, and are more fun to drive,” Barnes said. “We are excited that National Drive Electric Week is on track to surpass last year’s total of 321 events.”

Each event is led by local plug-in drivers and advocates and typically includes some combination of EV parades, ride-and-drives, tailgate parties, press conferences, award ceremonies, informational booths and more, according to the website. Plug In America, Sierra Club, and the Electric Auto Association serve as the national team providing support to the events throughout the country. 

“It’s difficult to really understand how great electric vehicles are until you’ve had a chance to experience them first-hand,” Barnes said. “As with any new technology, people often have questions before they make the switch to driving electric, and National Drive Electric Week events give people the opportunity to discover electric vehicles and talk to EV drivers in their own community.”

Join the NC Clean Energy Technology Center for National Drive Electric Week 2019! The Center will have six events located in Winston-Salem, Pittsboro and Raleigh, NC, including vehicle expos/tailgates, ride and drives and driver meet-ups. See the full schedule below, and visit www.DriveElectricWeek.org to find more events near you.

 

Electric Vehicle Car Show & Tailgate, 4-6 p.m. Friday, September 13 in Winston-Salem, BB&T Field: Join us to kick off National Drive Electric Week at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem with a tailgate and plug-in electric vehicle car show at the Wake Forest Vs. UNC Chapel Hill football game!  Kick-off is at 6 p.m. on Friday, September 13. The vehicles will be located in front of the Bridger Field House.

(For game day on Friday, due to the congestion and traffic, if you do not have tickets for the game or parking arrangements, it is not advised that you come visit the plug-in electric vehicle show. )

Register here.

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Driver Meet-Up, Car Show + Ride & Drive, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. September 14 in Winston-Salem, BB&T Field:  On Saturday, September 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., bring your plug-in vehicle to a driver meet-up, car show and ride and drive, which is open to the public. The vehicles will be located in the Gold Parking Lot across from Bridger Field House.

Register here.

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Electric Vehicle Car Show + Ride & Drive on Thursday, September 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Join us for a car show and ride & drive at Venture Plaza on NC State University’s Centennial campus. For this lunchtime event, there will be food trucks, static EVs and PHEVs to look at as well as test-drive. If you are an owner, there will be room for up to 10 static vehicles for the static car show. Owners are also welcome to participate in the ride & drive portion of the event.

For those who just want to visit and are not part of the Centennial Campus community, pay public parking is available in front of the Hunt Library. This is the same venue as the spring 2019 Earth Day event and will be a similar setup. Come on out have lunch and learn about driving on electricity!

Register here.

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Driver Meet-Up & Car Show on Friday, September 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Join us for a plug-in electric vehicle driver meet-up, car show, and ride & drive outside the Close-King Indoor practice facility at the corner of Westchase Boulevard and Peter Karmanos Jr. Drive, next to Carter Finley Stadium.  Bring your plug-in vehicle. Open to the public.

Register here.

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Electric Vehicle Show & Tailgate on Saturday, September 21, time TBD: Join us for a tailgate and plug-in electric vehicle car show outside the Close-King Indoor practice facility at the corner of Westchase Boulevard and Peter Karmanos Jr. Drive, next to Carter-Finley Stadium. Come learn about electric, plug-in hybrid electric and hybrid electric vehicles, as well as register for a chance to win NC State University Football prizes!

(For game day on Saturday, due to congestion and traffic, if you do not have tickets for the game or parking arrangements, it is not advised that you come visit the plug-in electric vehicle show.)

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Electric Vehicle Car Show at Pepperfest, Downtown Pittsboro, 3-6 p.m. Sunday, September 22: Join us at the 2019 Pepper Festival in Downtown Pittsboro to check out a display of plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles, and talk to us to learn more about them.

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Learn more and find an event near you at www.DriveElectricWeek.org!