The East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition, with a bit of help from the University of Tennessee, is hosting a number of events this weekend to help put the spotlight on electric vehicles.
The group is conducting the outreach as part of National Drive Electric Week with the hopes of introducing more people to the various options and features of electric vehicles.
“Electric vehicles are a completely new experience for many drivers,” said coalition executive director Jonathan Overly. “You have to see it, sit in it, and hopefully drive it to really understand how the vehicles work and if they are a fit for you and your family.”
To that end, the group is hosting the first event Friday night at Turkey Creek in Knoxville from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. near O’Charley’s and Starbucks.
Electric vehicles, including the Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt, Tesla Model S, BMW i3, Via Vtrux, a KUB plug-in hybrid bucket truck, and Shockwave Motors Defiant EV3 Roadster will be available for viewing and test driving at the event—one of 200 such gatherings nationwide.
On Saturday, UT’s EcoCAR2 vehicle joins the lineup, which moves to Gate 21 outside Neyland Stadium from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. before kickoff of the Vols vs. Western Carolina game.
“Most drivers are amazed, after they fully experience an electric vehicle, at how great they are as greener work and personal vehicles,” said Overly.
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CONTACT:
David Goddard (865-974-0683, david.goddard@utk.edu)