Sunday, September 25, 2022

Drive/Ride/Bus Electric TODAY!


Electric car drivers, e-bike riders, solar installers, supporters, and interested local residents are invited to La Crosse's Ask Me About My EV event today from 1 to 4 in Copeland Park to highlight the climate, clean air, and cost savings benefits provided by electric cars and bikes as part of the 12th annual National Drive Electric Week.

The twelfth annual National Drive Electric Week, a coast-to-coast celebration of electric vehicles (EVs), will be held September 23–October 2.

The La Crosse event included more than a dozen plug-in electric cars, several e-bikes, solar installers discussing the benefits of powering your vehicle with the sun, and groups and agencies providing information about EVs, renewable energy, and climate action.

EVs are less expensive than people think, and they drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At this event there will be older EVs bought used, newer EVs, electric bikes, and even the MTU's e-bus. All these vehicles are less polluting, economical to run, and incredibly fun, efficient and convenient to drive and ride.

There are more than 1.5 million EVs on the road in the United States, and a recent survey by Consumer Reports and the Union of Concerned Scientists showed that more than 60% of prospective car buyers in the U.S. are interested in electric vehicles. Consumer Reports has also found that the cost to own and operate an EV over its lifetime is about half the cost compared to a fossil fueled vehicle.

With more than 40 models available in the U.S. at a wide range of price points, and with new credits and discounts coming next year thanks to the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act, more families will be able to make the switch.

If you can install solar, you'll be able to power your rides with clean, renewable energy. The MTU's electric buses will soon be fueled by electricity generated by waste water treatment plant gases.

Robbie Young, who owns Coulee Bicycle Company, is bringing several electric bikes to show. “We see electric bikes as the transportation solution of today. Electric cargo bikes and family bikes do 90% of what a truck or suv does and costs only a fraction to buy, power, maintain. Kids transported by bike learn their city better than those who ride in cars. They're healthier and happier,” he said.

Local and state supporters of this event include the City of La Crosse, the Coulee Region Sierra Club, the Electric Vehicle Association-Wisconsin Chapter, RENEW Wisconsin, Western Technical College, Wisconsin Clean Cities, and Xcel Energy.

NDEW is presented by national organizers Plug In America, the Electric Auto Association, the Sierra Club, and EVHybridNoire. Nissan LEAF® is the exclusive automotive sponsor of NDEW 2021 and Wells Fargo is the exclusive banking sponsor of NDEW 2022. ClipperCreek and Electrify America are silver level sponsors. Edison International and Enel X are bronze level sponsors. IBEW 11 is a green level sponsor.

For more information about La Crosse Drive Electric Week, visit: https://driveelectricweek.org/event?eventid=3360

For a complete list of National Drive Electric Week events, visit: DriveElectricWeek.org

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