Sherry Boschert
First came National Drive Electric Day, more than a decade ago, when electric vehicle (EV) drivers gathered at events to show their cars and e-bikes and talk about their experiences with the EV-curious who came to ask questions. That expanded in 2014 to National Drive Electric Week events across the United States each year near the end of September. More recently, similar events also have celebrated Earth Day each spring, and they became so numerous that national organizers have declared Drive Electric Earth Month for April 2024.
A lot is happening with EVs this year. Starting in January 2024, consumers who want to buy an EV may “transfer” a federal tax credit to participating car or truck dealers to get up to a $7,500 cash-on-the-hood price reduction instead of waiting to claim the credit in tax filings next year. There are income limits on who can participate, and only designated EVs are eligible, but here’s a beneficial change – you don’t have to owe $7,500 in taxes in order to participate.
And this is not just for new EVs. Buyers of used EVs can get up to a $4,000 credit (or price reduction). For more details on all the new rules, see Plug In America’s handy “Federal Tax Credit Checklist for EV Shoppers.”
Plus, this year many EVs will be able to start using Tesla’s nationwide charging network – a game- changer for easy long-distance travel.
Learn about these topics and much more from EV drivers and e-bike riders themselves or from participating dealers at the Drive Electric Earth Month events. Maybe even take a test ride. Or do you already have an EV or e-bike? You can register to come show your vehicle and talk to event visitors who have questions, just like you had when you first considered getting an EV.
Drive Electric Earth Month is coordinated by five national organizations – Plug In America (pluginamerica.org), the Electric Vehicle Association (myeva.org), the Sierra Club (sierraclub.org), EVHybridNoire (evhybridnoire.com), and Drive Electric USA (drivelectricusa.org).
Find a Drive Electric Earth Month event near you and register by visiting https://driveelectricearthmonth.org. Here is a sample of events in New England that were announced by early February:
Saturday, April 6
South Portland, ME – EV Expo, Saturday, April 6, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00- p.m., The Point Community Center, 345 Clarks Pond Parkway, South Portland, ME. The EV Expo, sponsored by ReVision Energy and Efficiency Maine, is part of the larger Green Home + Energy Show that features leaders in Maine’s sustainable home and energy industries. See exhibits on solar power, heat pumps, EVs, green home products, and more, and network with top professionals who are looking to hire within these fields.
Saturday, April 20
Nashua, N.H. – Nashua Sustainability Fair and Earth Day Celebration, Saturday, April 20, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Nashua Public Library, 2 Court Street, Nashua. The Electric Vehicle Show at this third annual event will include not just EVs but a discussion by Clean Energy NH about, “Are EVs Right for You?” Plus, activities for kids, music, food trucks, information about home weatherization or sustainable plantings, and more.
Keene, N.H. – Drive Electric Expo at Earth Festival, Saturday, April 20, 12:30-3:30 p.m., 93 Railroad Street, adjacent to the Monadnock Food Co-op in downtown Keene, which hosts the region’s first public fast-charge stations. Featuring EVs shown by individuals, city staff, and local businesses.
Sunday, April 21
West Lebanon, N.H. – Earth Day EV Expo, Sunday, April 21 from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. in West Lebanon at 10 Benning Street (the Shaw’s supermarket parking lot). The location is adjacent to a new fast-charging station being installed by the electric truck maker Rivian. Rivian owners will be there to show their trucks, plus other EVs from Lebanon Ford and drivers of other models. The event features related exhibits like EV charging station company SolaflectEV, which offers a solar-powered EV charger. Pre-register at NHEV.org to get a free raffle ticket. Organized by the Lebanon Energy Advisory Committee. Co-sponsored by NH Sierra Club, 350 New Hampshire, and New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility.
Saturday, April 27
Merrimack, N.H. – Electric Vehicle Fair, Saturday, April 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Tractor Supply Parking Lot, 515 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack. Drivers will be bringing a Hyundai Ioniq 5, a Rivian R1S truck, and a Zero motorcycle, among others, and you can see some battery-powered outdoor equipment as well.
U.S. consumers face an urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to keep our one and only planet livable for our children and grandchildren. Now is the time to visit a Drive Electric Earth Month event and consider switching to electric drive. Later is too late.
Sherry Boschert is co-captain of the Earth Day EV Expo in West Lebanon and a co-founder of PlugInAmerica.org.
To see this article as it appears in print, in pdf format, please click HERE.
Many thanks to our sponsor:
Leave a Reply