HUNTSVILLE – The conversation was electrifying Sunday at Stovehouse.
As part of National Drive Electric Week, the local Drive Electric Alabama EV owner’s club hosted a National Drive Electric EVent in which EV owners put their cars on display and took part in one-on-one conversations about topics unique to EVs.
“As gas prices soared during the last year, the interest in electric vehicles understandably grew,” said Trush Patel, president of the Drive Electric Alabama club in Huntsville. “We fully expect that trend to continue into the future. It was a pleasure to have so many enthusiastic EV owners come out to showcase their EVs and talk about their experiences with potential new EV owners.
“The Huntsville area has a passionate EV community, and we always enjoy the opportunity to answer questions and talk about why we made the switch from gas-powered vehicles to EVs. I appreciate all who came out to participate in this event and kick the wheels and check under the hoods of these next generation vehicles.”
The event was sponsored by Drive Electric Alabama, the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition, the City of Huntsville, Huntsville Utilities, HuntsVolt and Energy Alabama.
Drive Electric Alabama is an initiative of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and has a mission to raise awareness and advocate for the eventual adoption of electric vehicles in Alabama by engaging and educating Alabama residents about the benefits of electric vehicles in their everyday lives, their futures, and the energy and economic impact for our state.
“Even in a high-tech city like Huntsville, a majority of people have never driven an electric vehicle,” said Michael Staley, president of the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition, one of the state’s foremost EV experts. “Nobody wants to hear from a salesman. We’d rather hear from someone who’s driving an EV every day – taking their kids to school and commuting to and from work.
“That’s why Sunday’s event was so powerful. It gave everyone an easy way to learn more about EVs without any sales pressure.”
Sunday’s EVent came on the heels of the inaugural Drive Electric Alabama EV Summit, which was held in Birmingham last Thursday and included industry experts, elected officials and others who covered topics ranging from EV initiatives in the state of Alabama, to charging technology, EV charging’s effect on the power grid, and panels featuring executives of original equipment manufacturers and automotive suppliers.
National Drive Electric Week, which runs from Sept. 23-Oct. 2, is a nationwide observance designed to raise awareness of the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles and other vehicles.
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