National Drive Electric Week
Kingsport, TN
Sep 15, 2016
Kingsport, TN
Sep 15, 2016
| Day: | Thursday, September 15, 2016 NOTE: this event has already happened, find current-year events on the Attend page. |
| Time: | 4-7 |
| Location: | Eastman Corporate Business Center 200 S Wilcox Kingsport, TN 37660 |
Event Report
The goal of showing all 22 charging stations in use at Eastman was met and then some, as 27 plug-in cars and their owners showed up to the event to help inform the public of cleaner driving electric vehicles. 130 people signed waivers for rides and/or drives, with the vast majority of those taking multiple rides. We estimate about 400 drives were taken by the public that afternoon. Not everyone signed especially those that just came to look and ask a few questions.
I estimate more than 300 people stopped by to learn more about sustainability and electric vehicles with slightly more than half being Eastman employees.
We generated a lot of positive press as we were featured on WETS-FM Community Forum with two 30 minute spots, WCBY news and front page of Kingsport Times News.
• WETS-FM Community Forum, now as a Podcast http://winkler.podhoster.com/index.php?pid=45360.
• WCYB featured the event on the news. https://www.facebook.com/moose.mcgree/videos/1186853408052351/
• K
photo by: David Hrivnak I do not know |
Event Description
The event will feature over 20 electric vehicles and their owners to highlight Eastman's new charging stations for employees and visitors. Eastman has 4 Level 2 chargers and 18 Level 1 chargers off the NE corner of the new Eastman Corporate Business Center (B1 & all glass) across the parking lot from the Eastman Credit Union.
Electric Vehicle Myths We Are Hoping to Dispel
EV’s are slow – The truth is EV’s are faster than their gasoline counterparts with the Tesla cars handily outperform the best gasoline powered cars.
EV’s are expensive – Yes the Tesla’s are expensive but they compete with the top of the line Mercedes, BMW and Audi sports sedans which carry a similar price tag. Other cars like the Nissan Leaf (built here in Tennessee) and the Chevy volt are very comparable to hybrid cars. When one factors in the lower cost of fuel and maintenance an EV will save one money.
Range is too short – Tesla’s have driven from San Diego to NY City in 56 hours including all charging times, thanks to the rapidly developing high speed charging network across the country. Others like the Volt have a modest 40-50 mile all electric range, but then have a gasoline engine that powers the car like a normal hybrid so one can take long trips.
EV’s do little for the environment - Even if you get your power locally from AEP which is 60% coal, an EV has half the emissions of a similar gasoline car. Many EV owners including several coming to the event, have added solar so they can drive emission free.
EV’s are not selling – Electric vehicles are the fastest growing automotive segment with sales up 50% from last year. Over 450,000 plug-ins are now on the road saving us over 260 million gallons of gasoline a year.
The batteries will not last - We have several owners who now have over 7 years of driving under their belt with the cars still running well.
Registered Attendees
There are currently 65 attendees registered.
Owners of These Vehicles Have Registered To Attend
| Vehicle | Registered |
| Chevrolet Volt | 7 |
| Nissan Leaf (2011-2017) | 5 |
| Tesla Model S | 4 |
| Tesla Roadster | 1 |
| 4 Models | 17 |
Registered attendees report 435,933 electric miles driven.
In the News…
