The hippest energy happenings: National Drive Electric Week

With National Drive Electric Week upon us (September 15-21) and the Solar Homes Tour (October 4-5) coming up quickly, now is a great time to check out some of the coolest technologies in clean energy!  I’ll be guest blogging this week and next to give you all the info you need on these upcoming events. This first blog will focus on National Drive Electric Week!

What is National Drive Electric Week?

What started out four years ago as a one day event called National Plug-in Day has now become a week long international awareness celebration called National Drive Electric Week.  There are 148 events taking place throughout the week across the nation and around the world.  Some events are large gatherings of hundreds of EVs as seen in California while others are smaller events with a spattering of cars as in Frederick, MD.

Electric-only parking spaces like this one are becoming more common.

In fact, there are five events in Maryland, two of which are in Montgomery County on Saturday:  Bethesda and Poolesville.  Let’s not forget the Washington DC National Drive Electric Week event on 3rd St at the National Mall on Sunday.

Find an Event Near You

Check out the list of events and associated local event details of the National Drive Electric Week.  The Poolesville event, which is held in conjunction with the annual Poolesville Day community-wide festival, was mentioned in the national press release!  There will be a community parade with where local non-profit Poolesville Green will participate with a number of EVs silently gliding down the Fisher Avenue parade route starting at 10am.   EVs and Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) will be on display starting at 11:30am at the Poolesville Elementary School parking lot where you can chat with owners about their experiences and maybe even get a RIDE!  While you’re at it, check out the EGO Electric Power Yard Tools and Mower at the Poolesville Green Booth (#130) – There’ll be some free giveaways!

Waving to the crowd from a zero emissions electric vehicle in 2012’s parade!

Interested in Learning More?

Check out these great resources:

• Poolesville Green: Building sustainability together, that’s what this young non-profit, founded in 2010, is all about.  We promote the appreciation, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, chiefly energy and water, in and around the town of Poolesville Maryland and the upcounty area including Dickerson, Barnesville, Boyds and Darnestown. Through our work, we hope to build on what is best about our small town communities.   Get the latest Poolesville Green happenings & Like Us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
• Electric Vehicle Assoc of Greater Washington DC: This decades old group meets monthly, usually in Montgomery County.  There is great knowledge base here.   The group is growing, especially in the last four years as commercially available EVs hit the market.  They product a great info sheet.

All of these Facebook pages are great for getting information and learning about EVs from owners. Great for asking questions & getting experience based answers. Chevy Volt Owners page is especially active.

• Nationwide Chevy Volt Owners
• EVA/DC
• Capital Area Nissan LEAF and Honda Fit EV Owners
• MD Volt Inc.

Drivers pose while waiting for the start of 2013’s Poolesville Day Electric Vehicle Parade.

By Joyce Breiner, Guest Writer, Executive Director, Poolesville Green, PoolesvilleGreen@gmail.com