Valley Residents Can Test Drive EVs at Ride & Drive Events During National Drive Electric Month
WHAT:
Salt River Project (SRP) is excited to announce two opportunities for Valley residents to learn about the benefits of electric vehicles (EV). Test drive an EV and talk to current owners during a no-cost Ride & Drive event.
The Ride & Drive events are sponsored by SRP, City of Phoenix, Gateway Community College, Mesa Community College, DRIVE Electric Arizona, Valley of the Sun Electric Vehicle Association, and Valley of the Sun Clean Cities. Those interested in driving an EV are encouraged to RSVP in advance. All drivers and riders are required to sign a waiver. There are two Ride & Drive events for Valley residents who want to attend.
INTERVIEWS AND VISUALS:
Interviews are available with:
- Jason Smith, SRP (Mesa Community College)
- Nicolas Quiñones, SRP (Gateway Community College)
- City of Phoenix representatives
- DRIVE Electric Arizona
Visuals include:
- EV owners volunteering their vehicles for the Ride & Drive
- Prospective EV owners participating in the event
DETAILS:
The Ride & Drive events support SRP’s goal to be committed to supporting the decisions of our customers in their transportation electrification journey. To do this, SRP has set a 2035 Sustainability Goal of enabling the adoption of 1 million EVs in its service territory and managing 90% of EV charging. Some benefits of EV ownership include:
- Cost Savings: Electric vehicles are more affordable to maintain and operate, due to significant fuel and maintenance savings, compared to traditional gasoline-powered cars.
- Lower Emissions: EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, which helps reduce local air pollution and combat climate change.
- Grid Reliability and Affordability: EVs can help improve the reliability of the electric grid and increase affordability for all customers by charging during optimal times.
- Better Ride: EVs offer a quieter, smoother driving experience, and are fun to drive due to their instant acceleration.
- Energy Efficiency: EVs are more energy-efficient, converting more energy from their “fuel” 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.