“Each event differs, but does center around electric cars,” said Lauren Lantry, a spokeswoman for NDEW. "Some are ride-and-drives, some are EV parades, some are government proclamations or EV charging station ribbon cuttings, etc.”
Now in its seventh year, NDEW is organized by the Sierra Club, Plug In America and the Electric Auto Association. More than 260 events are planned in all 50 states and abroad.
For example, in Washington state, Gov. Jay Inslee is planning to proclaim the electric driving week as a state event. In Vermont, the Upper Valley Electric Vehicle Expo kicks off Sept. 9 in White River Junction, and will include test drives of electric cars and bikes, as well as exhibits by solar panel providers. Scottsdale, Ariz., will host an event Sept. 16 showcasing every electric vehicle available for sale in Arizona. Ohio will host a number of "ride-and-drive" events in cities like Columbus, Cincinnati and Athens. See the whole list here.
Bellevue, Wash., will host a gathering of electric-car owners in Downtown Park on Monday, Sept. 11, from 4 to 7 p.m. It’s an opportunity for residents to check out a variety of electric vehicles, learn more about the technology and talk to EV owners who use their cars every day. Participants will also get to hear from several speakers, including Mayor John Stokes, beginning at 5 p.m.
“Since 2012, the city has purchased and installed 24 electric vehicle charging stations for public and fleet use,” said David Grant, public information officer for Bellevue’s Transportation Department. “Bellevue has a handful of EVs in its fleet but plans to increase the number over time.”
“There is no incentive program for charging ports, but the city is working with Puget Sound Energy to increase the number,” he added.
U.S. sales of EVs in July was up 19 percent, according to Inside EVs, an industry site that tracks global sales of electric vehicles. All told, some 104,863 plug-in electric cars were sold from January through July this year, up 35 percent from the same period last year.
Other NDEW events include a photovoltaic solar canopy display in Las Vegas, which provides power to two EV charging stations. An electric car rally also will feature plug-in hybrid electric cars and battery-powered EVs from worldwide automotive manufacturers, as well as EV conversion cars and other innovative electricity-powered vehicles.
