Second Annual DRIVE Electric Earth Month Phoenix Electric Vehicle (EV) Ride and Drive Scheduled April 19
Ride and Drive Provides Hands-On Opportunity to Experience Electric Vehicles
WHAT:
Valley residents can get behind the wheel – or ride as a passenger – of an electric vehicle (EV) during the Second Annual DRIVE Electric Earth Month Phoenix Electric Vehicle (EV) Ride and Drive. Created for people who are interested in experiencing an EV, the no-cost event enables residents to ride or drive a four-mile route around the local area in many different EV car and truck models. These vehicles are made available by their owners, who will be on-hand to answer any questions and share their enthusiasm for EVs.
The Ride and Drive is hosted by the City of Phoenix Office of Sustainability in partnership with South Mountain Community College, DRIVE Electric Arizona, Valley of the Sun Electric Vehicle Association, Salt River Project (SRP) and Valley of the Sun Clean Cities. Those wishing to drive a vehicle are encouraged to RSVP in advance. All drivers and riders are required to sign a waiver.
WHEN / WHERE:
- 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 19
- South Mountain Community College, 7050 S. 24th St., Phoenix, AZ 85042
WHO:
Interviews are available with:
- Karen Apple, EV Manager, City of Phoenix
- Pete Culin, DRIVE Electric Arizona
- Nicolas Quiñones, SRP
- EV owners volunteering their vehicles for the Ride & Drive
- Prospective EV owners participating in the event
WHY:
The Ride and Drive enables Phoenix residents to learn about the many benefits of electric vehicles by test driving EVs, meeting with industry experts and exploring the future of transportation. This event supports the City of Phoenix's goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. It also supports SRP’s sustainability goals, which include enabling the adoption of 1 million EVs in SRP’s service territory and managing 90% of EV charging by 2035.
DETAILS:
The benefits of electric vehicles include:
- Lower Emissions: EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, which helps reduce air pollution and combat climate change.
- Cost Savings: Electric vehicles are more affordable to maintain and operate compared to traditional gasoline-powered cars.
- Quiet Ride: EVs offer a quieter, smoother driving experience, reducing noise pollution in the community.
- Energy Efficiency: EVs are more energy-efficient, converting more energy from the battery into motion than gasoline-powered vehicles.
- Less Dependence on Fossil Fuels: By driving an EV, you're reducing the demand for fossil fuels and supporting the transition to clean energy.
SRP is a community-based, not-for-profit public power utility and the largest electricity provider in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving about 1.2 million customers. SRP provides water to about 2.5 million Valley residents, delivering 260 billion gallons of water (800,000 acre-feet) each year, and manages a 13,000-square-mile watershed that includes an extensive system of reservoirs, wells, irrigation laterals, and 131 miles of canals.