Drive Electric Event
Drive Electric Earth Day
Birmingham, AL
May 22, 2021
Drive Electric Earth Day
Birmingham, AL
May 22, 2021
| Day: | Saturday, May 22, 2021 NOTE: this event has already happened, find current-year events on the Attend page. |
| Time: | 8:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT |
| Location: | The Market at Pepper Place 2930 3rd Ave South Birmingham, AL 35233 |
Event Report
Answers from
EV drivers who took part into today’s Drive Electric Earth Day EVent at The Market at Pepper Place in Birmingham’s
Lakeview neighborhood were as varied as the selection of electric vehicles on display.
“As more and more
motorists realize that electric vehicles are not only fun to drive but that
also driving on electricity is about
five times cheaper than fueling
with gasoline, it makes
it a lot
easier to
consider buying an EV,” said Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition Executive Director
Mark Bentley. “That’s what the Drive Electric
Earth Day EVent is all about.
We want people
to know
and understand the wide range of benefits associated with driving an EV, because it’s inevitable that we’re going to see more of them
on our highways.”
John Collins, an adjunct
professor at UAB and an early adopter to EVs, was quick to point out the performance factor. “Electric vehicles
have always been intriguing to me but once I was able to experience the performance of them, I was sold. We now have two EVs and they
both out preform any gas-powered vehicles we have ever owned.”
“There is truly very little
maintenance required on electric vehicles,” noted Adrienne Holmes, an EV owner from Birmingham who works as a
mechanic. “Outside of the brakes and the tires, there is no comparison that the necessary maintenance for EVs
is significantly less than gas- powered vehicles.”
Drive
Electric Earth Day is a national campaign designed to share first-hand
information about electric vehicles.
Owners displayed over 20 EVs from Chevy, Ford, Kia, Nissan, and Tesla. There were also electric scooters and an electric
bus on display as well.
The variety of EVs on display
showcased why EVs have emerged as the fastest-growing transportation vehicle segment. Some EV drivers enjoy the
environmental benefits of driving a car
with no tailpipe emissions, while others emphasize the savings that come with
never having to stop at a gas station or paying for an oil change.
“These cars promote a
healthier lifestyle, and they are also incredibly economical,” remarked David Radzieta of Hueytown. “The cost
savings from charging EVs compared to refueling gas powered vehicles is significant, especially over time.”
The recent panic purchase of gasoline in the wake of the
Colonial Pipeline shutdown also showcased
the convenience of driving an electric vehicle without worrying about a fuel shortage.
More than 50 battery electric
(BEV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models are currently available. Manufacturers
continue to roll out new models, and that’s why that number is expected to double by the end of 2022, including the
introduction of full-sized pick- up trucks and SUVs.
“Electric vehicles
are here to stay, and American motorists
are increasingly embracing
them,” Alabama Clean Fuels
Coalition President Michael Staley said. “It’s no secret that EVs are cheaper to maintain than conventional
gas-powered vehicles, and they have the added
advantage of being high-performing and environmentally friendly.”
Staley also noted buyers
can often take advantage of a federal
tax credit of up to $7,500, which
adds to EVs’ affordability.
State leaders also understand the
importance of EVs, evidenced last summer when Gov. Kay Ivey unveiled the Alabama Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan,
which creates short- and long- range strategies to guide expansion
of electric vehicle
charging stations throughout the state. Currently, there are approximately 426
EV charging outlets at 169 different public charging stations in Alabama.
Visitors to Pepper Place spent
Saturday morning talking to real-life EV owners, who are the best source of information for EV cost, range,
charging time and other factors unique to driving them.
Saturday’s event
was coordinated by the Alabama
Clean Fuels Coalition
and co-sponsored by UAB
Sustainability, Alabama Power Company, the City of Birmingham, The Market at
Pepper Place and the Zero Emissions Owners Group (ZEOG).
photo by: Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition Electric cars, people and pets enjoy a great NDEW Event in Birmingham. Lots of questions and answers provided! |
Event Description
Registered Attendees
There are currently 87 attendees registered.
Owners of These Vehicles Have Registered To Attend
| Vehicle | Registered |
| Nissan Leaf (2011-2017) | 5 |
| Tesla Model Y | 4 |
| Chevrolet Bolt | 3 |
| Tesla Model 3 | 3 |
| Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid | 2 |
| Nissan Leaf (2018+) | 2 |
| Tesla Model S | 2 |
| Tesla Model X | 2 |
| Audi e-tron | 1 |
| BMW X5 iPerformance | 1 |
| Chevrolet Volt | 1 |
| Chevy Spark EV | 1 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | 1 |
| Toyota Prius Prime | 1 |
| 14 Models | 29 |
Registered attendees report 720,707 electric miles driven.
