National Drive Electric Week

Posted 9/30/15

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National Drive Electric Week

ON DISPLAY: Pictured in front of an all-electric Ford Focus is Allison Callahan, air quality specialist for the Department of Environmental Management. DEM now owns 12 electric vehicles for use as state vehicles. This car is operated by DEM Assistant Director Terry Gray.

INFORMATION: Pictured at the information table at the National Drive Electric Week celebration in Garden City on Sept. 12 are organizers from Ocean State Clean Cities, including Frank Stevenson and Allison Callahan of DEM, Wendy Lucht of Ocean State Clean Cites, and Ryan Cote of the Office of Energy Resources.

Posted Wednesday, September 30, 2015 2:19 pm

On Sept. 12, approximately 20 electric cars were on display at the Garden City Gazebo for National Drive Electric Week. The event served to highlight the advances made in electric and hybrid-electric vehicle technologies, as well as in the infrastructure that serves them here in Rhode Island. Right now, there are more than 400 electric vehicles registered in the state. Plug-in vehicles by Chevrolet, Nissan, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen and BMW were on hand, and test drives were offered. The event was organized through the Ocean State Clean Cities Coalition, along with the state Office of Energy Resources, Department of Environmental Management, the University of Rhode Island Outreach Center, and Drive Electric Cars New England. National Grid, Balise Nissan, Volkswagen Group of America, General Motors, Paul Masse Chevrolet and ChargePoint are local sponsors. Plug In America, the Sierra Club and the Electric Auto Association are national organizers. Garden City offers two charging stations. (Text by Meri R. Kennedy/Photos by Steve Popiel)