Plug’n Drive launches electric vehicle (EV) education and test drive tour across Canada to increase public EV awareness and knowledge

11 September 2024

Featured events in Ottawa, Calgary, and Kingston now taking appointments for EV test drives

Halifax, Nova Scotia | Mi’kma’ki –(COMMUNITYWIRE)– From the podium of EVVE2024, Canada’s largest EV industry event hosted by Electric Mobility Canada, Plug’n Drive is thrilled to announce the launch of the EVs are for Everyone Cross-Canada Tour that is bringing EV education and test drives to communities across Canada.

The tour is made possible through funding from Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative (ZEVAI), complemented by contributions from a number of generous Plug’n Drive Tour sponsors and local event sponsors, all listed below. ZEVAI supports projects that aim to increase awareness, knowledge and public confidence in zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) and public charging and refueling infrastructure.

“We applaud the federal government’s support for removing barriers for Canadians to the adoption of EVs in Canada through ZEVAI,” says Cara Clairman, President and CEO of Plug’n Drive. “The EVs are for Everyone Cross-Canada Tour is focused on addressing a lack of access to, awareness of, and comfort with, zero emissions vehicles and the infrastructure network that exists to support the choice to go electric.”

The EVs are for EVeryone Cross-Canada Tour is a two-year initiative that will bring hands-on electric vehicle (EV) education directly to communities nationwide through interactive Mobile EV Education Trailers (MEETs) and dynamic EV Roadshows.

The Tour features two fully collapsible and transportable MEETs, strategically located in Eastern and Western Canada. These trailers will serve as mobile community hubs that stay in place for two to four weeks at a time. They are equipped with trained EV Ambassadors, engaging educational displays, and opportunities to test drive the latest EV models from top manufacturers. Visitors will get an up-close look at how electric vehicles are shaping the future of sustainable transportation.

In addition to the MEETs, the Tour includes EV Roadshows that hit the road for one to three days per event, departing from the travelling MEETs or from Plug’n Drive’s Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre at Yonge and Bloor in Toronto, ON. The EV Roadshows will travel with pop-up tents or tradeshow booths, a fleet of EVs, and knowledgeable EV Ambassadors, reaching smaller, rural, and remote communities. They’ll also make appearances at conferences, tradeshows, and festivals, offering EV education and test drives to broaden the reach of the ZEV movement.

“Test drives are a vital part of the decision-making journey for anyone considering an electric vehicle,” said Ms. Clairman. “The EVs are for Everyone Tour makes it easy for potential EV buyers to get hands-on experience with a variety of EV models, compare options, and explore charging solutions—all in a relaxed, no-pressure environment.”

“Our events are staffed by brand agnostic EV experts that ensure experiential learning is provided in a no-cost, no-pressure, no-sales environment,” says Mary Mallin, EVs are for Everyone Tour Manager.

The EVs are for EVeryone Tour features MEET Calgary in Western Canada and MEET Ottawa in Eastern Canada for the month of September, and MEET Kingston in October. All three locations are currently accepting appointments.

The public is invited to check out the Plug’n Drive events calendar to see when and where to find the EVs are for EVeryone MEETS and EV Roadshows. Communities are also encouraged to reach out to Plug’n Drive to inquire about bringing the MEET or the EV Roadshow to town.

MEET Calgary EVent Details

Local Event Presenting Sponsor: The City of Calgary
Dates: September 5 – 29, 2024, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
Location: Vivo Centre for Healthier Generations, 11950 Country Village Link NE (East Parking Lot), Calgary, AB T3K 6E3
Free EV Test Drives and EV Education: Walk-ins are welcome; booking ahead ensures your preferred time is secured: MEET Calgary booking calendar
Driver Requirements: Must be 21 years of age with a valid driver’s license

“Partnering with Plug’n Drive to host Calgary’s MEET Event provides electric vehicle (EV) education and test drives to Calgarians aligning to both local and global efforts to promote low-carbon transportation,” said Jordan Carrier, Public Program Coordinator with The City of Calgary. “These initiatives are key to fostering healthier communities.”

MEET Ottawa EVent Details

Local Event Site Sponsor: IKEA Ottawa
Local Event Tour Sponsor: Electricity Canada
Dates: September 12 – 29, 2024, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
Location: IKEA Ottawa, 2685 Iris Street (North West Parking Area), Ottawa, ON K2C 3S4
Free EV Test Drives and EV Education: Walk-ins are welcome; booking ahead ensures your preferred time is secured: MEET Ottawa booking calendar
Driver Requirements: Must be 21 years of age with a valid driver’s license

“Electricity Canada is proud to support this national initiative that has been designed to help Canadians switch to vehicles powered by Canada’s clean electricity through electric vehicle education, awareness, and access to complimentary test drives all cross Canada,” says Francis Bradley, President and CEO, Electricity Canada.

MEET Kingston EVent Details

Local Event Presenting Sponsor: The City of Kingston
Dates: October 3 – 20, 2024, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
Location: Kingston East Community Centre, 779 Highway 15, Kingston, ON K7L 4V3
Free EV Test Drives and EV Education: Walk-ins are welcome; booking ahead ensures your preferred time is secured: MEET Kingston booking calendar
Driver Requirements: Must be 21 years of age with a valid driver’s license

“In October, the city is hosting the Kingston Climate Expo, a three-week interactive and educational event showcasing various climate change initiatives,” says Brent Fowler, the city’s Director of Corporate Asset Management & Fleet. “Please stop by the Kingston East Community Centre to explore Plug‘n Drive’s Mobile Electric Vehicle Education Trailer (MEET), check out the showcase of educational information about electric vehicles, and experience hands-on test drives of some of the latest EV models available on the consumer market.”

EVs are for EVeryone Tour Sponsors

Discovery Sponsors – Mike Brigham Foundation | Power Workers’ Union

Electrifying Sponsors – Bruce Power | Hydro One Networks | Ontario Power Generation | Toronto Hydro

Accelerator Sponsors – 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-$2,000 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.

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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