I'm a firm believer in the idea that if you want people to adopt EVs you have got to get out there and show those EVs in the wild, not some show room or fancy press event, and make sure you have actual drivers doing the talking (with their cars and not just one) not a test driver or engineer from the manufacturer. Fancy flash work and test drivers are cool on a closed course or environment but as soon as the audience goes home the interest fades and they go back to thinking ICE thoughts
We have to get people to think - "Wow, he drives it everyday, he takes his family in it, he did over 15,000 miles in one year and he is having fun. He used to drive a gas car and he does not want to go back, I want to know more".
Showing off our cars is easy, just driving around is not enough, you need an audience, how? Easier than you think. There are tons of free car shows that you can call up or just appear at and they will let you in. I find it most effective to go to all ICE shows, they really like EVs and you will be the center of attention. Another very effective way to show off your EV is to ask schools if you could demo your car, I have never been turned down by a school. They love these cars, especially as most have 'green days', and they totally get it. It is a lot of fun for you as well. The kids have great questions, especially when you tell them EVs are fast and fun. After all, they very well could be future EV drivers. I've shown mine to pre-schools up to Colleges. You may be surprised how 3 year olds totally get what EVs are about. Best comment I've received so far from a pre-schooler was the car does not stink since there is no pipe in the back. He was 100% correct.
I'm just tossing a few photos up here (there are many more) to give you an idea of all the types of educating you can do with EVs....it is a lot of fun and it really works. Want to get involved? Message me or join one of our facebook groups to keep up to date.
New Jersey Electric Auto Association (NJEAA)
BMW ActiveE Group
Showing EVs at Kimberly Clark School in Montclair
Demonstrating the ActiveE to Mount Olive High School Physics Class
Presentation at Pershing to 'Going Green' employees
Pershing 'Going Green' corporate event
Just pulled in and they found a spot for me
Cars and Croissants - Chatham NJ
Demonstrating the ActiveE to pre-schoolers
Demonstrating the Benefits of EVs at Bergen College teen STEM day
Kids love to plug EVs in - would you do this with a gas car?
People love to see EVs in action - Princeton Airport
Green Day at Princeton airport
People walk away seriously considering an EV....but, and this is to those manufacturers...we drivers plant the seeds but we need to keep it going and we can't do that without your support. We are your biggest marketing asset.
