Ride-N-Drive Event Features Parade of EVs, Plus Opportunities to Learn About Affordable & Clean Electric Driving
COLCHESTER, Vt. – Interested in an electric vehicle, but curious what it’s like to own and drive one? Or have you thought about going electric but not sure what model is right for you? Green Mountain Power is making it simple and fun to learn about electric vehicles by launching a series of EVenture Ride-n-Drive events, in partnership with customers who drive electric vehicles.
The first one will be in Middlebury on Saturday, Aug. 21, and will provide a chance for people to stop by, ask questions, and learn how driving electric can help cut carbon and costs. There are many electric vehicle options, and the EVenture will also feature a parade of electric vehicles.
“Electric vehicles are great to drive, more affordable than fossil fuel vehicles to operate, and all the rebates available make switching to green driving so easy,” said GMP Vice President Kristin Carlson. “This event will be a lot of fun and showcase the many different EV models already out there on the roads, with customers who drive electric on hand to share their experiences and answer questions for people considering how to start their own EVenture. Seeing and driving is believing!”
Transportation with fossil-fueled vehicles is the top source of carbon emissions in Vermont, so switching to an electric vehicle is the top way Vermonters can cut greenhouse gas emissions.
EVs are also less expensive to ‘fuel up’ and require less maintenance, so drivers save thousands of dollars over the life of the vehicle. Energy Action Network released a new report, that “electric vehicle drivers in rural Vermont stand to save roughly $1,500 during the first year of ownership, and over $21,000 over a 14-year lifetime of the vehicle.”
Customers who want to bring their EV to the parade and event can RSVP and sign up here: https://forms.gle/UqpdyjFkNmUSotKAA. The parade will start at 11 a.m. at GMP’s office at 121 Cady Road in Middlebury. The drivers will drive to the Middlebury Coop, where the EVs will be set up for people to check out.
Drivers and customers who attend will be entered into a drawing to win a free electric yard trimmer. At each community EVenture Ride-n-Drive event, GMP will donate to a local charity to support the community, and this event will support the nonprofit Elderly Services in Middlebury. GMP plans to visit more communities across the state through the fall.
What: GMP EVenture Ride-n-Drive
When: Aug. 21 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Middlebury Coop, 9 Washington St., Middlebury
Already interested in switching to an electric vehicle? GMP offers customers up to $2,500 in rebates, depending on income, on new all-electric vehicles, $1,000 for plug-in hybrids and $750 for used EVs and PHEVs. GMP will also give customers a free Level-2 home car charger ($600 value) when they buy or lease a new EV. Plus, GMP’s electric vehicle driving rates make charging up the equivalent of about a dollar a gallon. Customers can combine GMP rebates with those offered by the state to build bigger savings.
About Green Mountain Power
Green Mountain Power (GMP) serves approximately 266,000 residential and business customers in Vermont and is partnering with them to improve lives and transform communities. GMP is focused on a new way of doing business to meet the needs of customers with integrated energy services that help people use less energy and save money, while continuing to generate clean, cost-effective and reliable power in Vermont. GMP is the first utility in the world to get a B Corp certification, meeting rigorous social, environmental, accountability and transparency standards and committing to use business as a force for good. GMP earned a spot on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in the World list four years in a row (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020). In 2021, the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) honored GMP as a nationwide leader in energy transformation, and in 2019 GMP earned the Deane C. Davis Outstanding Vermont Business of the Year Award from the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Vermont Business Magazine.
Kristin Carlson, Green Mountain Power
(802) 229-8200
[email protected]
Electric vehicles are great to drive, more affordable than fossil fuel vehicles to operate, and all the rebates available make switching to green driving so easy.
Kristin Carlson, GMP Vice President
