Clean Fuels Ohio Hosts Electric Vehicle Ride and Drive in Dublin, Ohio on Sept. 30

Clean Fuels Ohio announced it will host a ride and drive on Saturday, Sept. 30 at the Dublin Recreation Center to showcase the performance and environmental advantages of electric vehicles.

Participants will get a chance to get behind the wheel of some of the newest electric vehicles on the market, such as the Chevrolet Bolt EV, Chevrolet Volt, Nissan LEAF, Ford Fusion Energi, and others. The event is a part of Midwest EVOLVE (Electric Vehicle Opportunities: Learning, eVents, Experience), a three-year project in seven Midwestern states to demonstrate electric vehicles at showcases, ride and drives, events, and workplace-charging seminars.

Midwest EVOLVE is a partnership between the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest and eight Clean Cities coalitions throughout the Midwest. Clean Fuels Ohio is a partner on the seven-state project, which includes experiential events in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota.

“There’s no better way to learn about the performance and environmental advantages of electric vehicles than getting behind the wheel and taking a vehicle for a test drive,” said Ellen Eilers, outreach and events manager of Clean Fuels Ohio. “Our coalition is giving consumers a chance to learn about electric vehicles and their performance advantages, how they improve air quality and save fuel, and fit the needs of consumers’ driving habits.”

Through its work with Midwest EVOLVE, Clean Fuels Ohio is hosting ride and drives, conducting seminars, and other events to demonstrate electric vehicles, and how easy they are to charge from home, work, or at public charging stations. The ride and drive will be held at the Dublin Community Recreation Center, 5600 Post Rd, Dublin, Ohio 43017 from 10 AM to 2 PM.

“With more than two-dozen models on the market, electric vehicles are increasingly popular,” Eilers said. “These fun-to-drive vehicles reduce emissions, and improve air quality and public health. Today’s models also have increased driving range.

“Most consumers charge their vehicles at home or at work, but there also are more than 40,000 public-charging stations throughout the U.S., including 282 in Ohio area alone,” Eilers added.

From the Spring of 2017 to Fall 2019, the Lung Association and the eight Clean Cities coalitions are hosting more than 200 large and small events held at brand-neutral settings that give Midwestern drivers an opportunity to get behind the wheel of electric vehicles.

Midwest EVOLVE and Clean Fuels Ohio are focusing their efforts on the general public, fleet decision makers, and dealership personnel. Showcases are being held in major metropolitan areas of the seven states providing hands-on experience by:

• Allowing motorists to test-drive a variety of vehicles that are locally available.
• Educating consumers about vehicle charging at home, work and public stations.
• Helping people determine the best vehicle and charging options for their needs.

The Midwest EVOLVE project launched in early 2017 with three automotive partners, Ford Motor Company, General Motors and Nissan, as well as more than 60 other partners throughout the Midwest, including Argonne National Laboratory, utilities, state agencies, municipalities, dealerships and dealer associations. The partners support the project through donations, vehicles for test drives, and in-kind support.

About Midwest EVOLVE

Midwest EVOLVE is a partnership between the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest and eight Midwestern Clean Cities coalitions in seven states. The project’s focus is to educate consumers, as well as public and private fleets, about the performance and environmental advantages of electric vehicles. The project is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), under Award Number DE-EE0007743. To learn more, visit www.MidwestEVOLVE.org or follow EVOLVE via Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

About Clean Fuels Ohio

Clean Fuels Ohio is a state-wide, non-profit organization dedicated to improving air quality and health, reducing environmental pollution, strengthening Ohio’s economy, and enhancing our nation's energy security by promoting and encouraging the use of cleaner, domestic fuels and efficient vehicles. As a U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities coalition, Clean Fuels Ohio has remained the “go-to” resource for assistance with implementing alternative transportation solutions. To learn more, visit cleanfuelsohio.org.