Plug’n Drive and The City of Calgary Launch MEET Calgary

CALGARY, AB –(COMMUNITYWIRE)– Plug’n Drive, in partnership with The City of Calgary, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile EV Education Trailer (MEET) Calgary in Calgary for the month of September.  Bringing electric vehicle (EV) education and test drives to Calgarians supports local and global efforts to encourage the adoption of low-carbon vehicles and transportation infrastructure to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and create healthier communities.

From September 5 to 29, 2024, MEET Calgary will be stationed in the East Parking Lot at the Vivo Centre for Healthier Generations, located at 11950 Country Village Link NE, Calgary.

MEET Calgary will be open to the public each Thursday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. This initiative will serve as an engaging community hub, providing valuable information on the environmental and economic benefits of driving electric in Canada.

Visitors to MEET Calgary can look forward to interacting with local EV Ambassadors, exploring educational displays, and participating in test drives in the following EV models such as the Chevrolet Blazer, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and the Volvo XC60 (subject to change).

“Transportation accounts for 1/3 of city-wide emissions in Calgary, with traffic being one of the primary contributors to air pollution,” explains Jordan Carrier, Public Program Coordinator with the City of Calgary. “Promoting low-carbon alternatives, such as the adoption of electric vehicles, is crucial for achieving net-zero emissions and enhancing climate resilience.”

“Test drives are essential in the decision-making process for buying an electric vehicle and they can be difficult to access,” says Mary Mallin, Manager of Events and Logistics at Plug’n Drive. “MEET Calgary offers visitors an opportunity to experience EVs in a non-sales setting and get answers to their questions about EV driving and charging.”

Test drives at MEET Calgary are free and available to licensed drivers aged 21 and over. While walk-ins are welcome, visitors are encouraged to book their preferred appointment times using the MEET Calgary booking calendar.

Key Event Details

• Presenting Sponsor:  The City of Calgary
• Dates: September 5-29, 2024 (open to the public Thursdays to Sundays)
• Location: Vivo Centre for Healthier Generations, 11950 Country Village Link NE (East Parking Lot), Calgary, AB T3K 6E3  (Map)
• Free EV Test Drives and EV Education: MEET Calgary Booking Calendar
• Driver Requirements: Must be 21 years of age with a valid driver’s license

Exclusive group bookings are possible for Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Contact contact@plugndrive.ca to discuss options.

About the MEET

Plug’n Drive has been pleased to work with our many sponsors to develop, design and deliver the Mobile EV Education Trailer (MEET). Since the MEET was first launched in 2020, it has been engaging communities across Canada from British Columbia to New Brunswick.

The MEET is modeled after Plug’n Drive’s Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre located at 33 Bloor Street East in Toronto.  It has interactive tools and high-quality materials to help consumers along the EV discovery journey, including information about the benefits of EVs, all the makes and models available in Canada, available incentives, and more. The MEET is staffed by brand agnostic EV experts providing experiential learning in a no-cost, no-pressure, no-sales environment. It is the perfect complement to any regional EV program or initiative and can remain active in one location for weeks or months at a time.

The MEET is a public/private partnership between government, industry and communities. 

MEET Calgary

• MEET Presenting Sponsor: The City of Calgary
• Partially Funded By: Natural Resources Canada
• MEET Automaker Sponsors: Chevrolet, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Polestar, Volvo
• MEET Amplifier: Flo

Canadian EV Fast Facts

• Presently, there are well over 700,000 electric and hybrid electric vehicles on Canadian roads and over 70 different EV models available, with more on the way at increasingly affordable prices.
• Canada has over 27,000 public chargers and is on track to greatly expand on that as governments, car manufacturers and charging network providers build out the network.
• Plug’n Drive has EV charging resources to help with public charging, home charging, charging at work, and retrofitting condos.
• In December 2023, the federal government introduced a sales mandate for 100% zero emission light duty vehicles (ZEVs) by 2035 with an incremental target of 20% by 2026.
• In Q1 2024, the market share of new zero-emission vehicle registrations in Canada was 11.3%, up from 8.6% in Q1 2023, according to StatsCan.
• With over 83 percent of Canada’s electricity coming from non-emitting sources (e.g., hydro, nuclear, wind, solar), the transition to electric vehicles will greatly reduce Canada’s climate-changing emissions. Light duty vehicles account for about half of Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transportation sector. The transportation sector accounts for about 25 percent of Canada’s overall GHG emissions.
• Plug’n Drive has a Find Your Match app to browse and compare vehicles, cost savings, and incentives available across Canada, including the federal $5000 incentive for the purchase of a fully electric or plug-in hybrid electric car. Driving an electric car can save you between $1,500-$3,000 per year on fuel and maintenance.
• In addition to the MEET, Plug’n Drive offers pressure-free EV education and test drives through various programs in Ontario and other jurisdictions including the Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre, the Electric Vehicle Roadshow, and the Employee Engagement Program.
• Visit the Plug’n Drive events calendar to see where other events are currently scheduled.

• Learn more about the City of Calgary’s Electric Mobility Strategy.

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About Plug’n Drive

Plug’n Drive is a not-for-profit organization accelerating EV adoption in Canada to maximize the environmental and economic benefits of an electrified transportation sector. Our vision is to help Canada achieve its goal of 100% electric vehicle sales by 2035 or earlier. Since 2011, we have made incredible strides in our mission through a variety of consumer education programs, including the launch of the world’s first Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre (EVDC) in Toronto, the Electric Vehicle Roadshow event series as well as the Mobile EV Education Trailer (MEET). Our corporate partnerships include EV auto manufacturers, utilities, EV charger manufacturers, and others. For more information about Plug’n Drive’s programs, services, and events, visit plugndrive.ca and sign up for our newsletter. Join our community on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Alan Downward
Communications and Project Coordinator
Plug’n Drive
alan@plugndrive.ca
(647) 449-9715