National Drive Electric Week
Old Saybrook, CT
Sep 15, 2018
Old Saybrook, CT
Sep 15, 2018
| Day: | Saturday, September 15, 2018 NOTE: this event has already happened, find current-year events on the Attend page. |
| Time: | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM |
| Location: | Saybrook Point Pavilion 154 College Street Old Saybrook, CT 06475 |
Event Report
The NDEW event in Old Saybrook, CT was the only event on the Connecticut shoreline between Fairfield, CT and the Rhode Island border. The event had excellent attendance, with 82 documented visitors at the registration table. This represents an undercount; true attendance was likely over 100.
The event was held at Saybrook Point, a scenic town park along the waterfront of the Connecticut River. This setting was busy with lots of incidental traffic, some of whom attended the EV event.
At our information table where attendees checked in, we distributed flyers and brochures about the cost-saving and clean-air advantages of owning an EV, provided by Plug In America as well as by the National and Connecticut Chapter of the Sierra Club. We conducted a "Q&A" session about owning and driving EVs that included 30 participants.
The total number of EVs displayed was 23, including vehicles brought by dealers. EV models provided by dealers included the Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf, Honda Clarity, Toyota Prius Prime, and Mercedes GLC 350E. EV models provided by owners included the Chevrolet Bolt, Chevrolet Volt, Tesla (Model S, Model 3, and Roadster), BMW i3REX, Fiat 500e, Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid, and Honda Clarity.
Guests were able to experience test ''drives'' or test ''rides'' in a variety of EV models, driving a scenic four-mile loop including the shore of Long Island Sound. Our NDEW site was chosen to conduct a survey for the U.S. Department of Energy about the value of test drives in promoting greater understanding of EVs.
We wish to thank the volunteers who helped plan and set up the event, staffed our information table, and participated in our ''Q&A'' session. We also thank the Saybrook Point Inn and Bishop’s Orchards of Guilford for their generous donations. First Selectman of the Town of Old Saybrook Carl Fortuna made a proclamation of ''Old Saybrook Drive Electric Week, 8–16 September 2018'' and was present at the Saybrook Point EV event.
photo by: Robert Langdon This photo shows a partial view of two rows of EVs. We had a total of four ''rows'' of EVs, with owners/drivers discussing their cars with guests. The entire venue with all EVs was captured on a video clip. |
Event Description
“Electrify Your Drive!"
A Free EV Car Show and Information Session about Electric Vehicles
The Town of Old Saybrook is hosting an educational event about electric vehicles (EVs) for all interested people to highlight the clean-air and cost-savings advantages of these now widely available vehicles.
Experienced EV owners will show their EVs and will discuss why they like their electric vehicles and how they use them on their daily commutes and longer distance drives, as well as how they charge the cars’ batteries. The event is part of the eighth annual National Drive Electric Week (NDEW); it is the only NDEW event on the Connecticut coast between Fairfield, CT and Rhode Island.
The event will take place at the Saybrook Point Pavilion, which is adjacent to Saybrook Point Inn. The hotel has an EV charging station, which event guests will be able to inspect.
Participants will learn about the differences between electric vehicles and conventional gas-powered cars (including why electric vehicles are much less expensive to operate and maintain), the widespread locations and different types of charging stations, the wide range of EV models available now, and the benefits of electric vehicles for the environment and for public health. We will have two indoor Question-and-Answer sessions in the Pavilion with a panel of EV owners/drivers and EV experts from local auto dealers.
Attendees will learn about special savings programs for Connecticut EV drivers, including state rebates and low-interest loans from the Connecticut Green Bank, as well as federal tax credits, for purchasing and leasing electric vehicles.
Plug-in vehicles by Nissan, Chevrolet, Mercedes Benz, and other automakers will be displayed and some will be available for test ride-and-drives. First Selectman Carl Fortuna will present a proclamation naming 8–15 September “Old Saybrook Drive Electric Week” at the event.
Registered Attendees
There are currently 40 attendees registered.
Owners of These Vehicles Have Registered To Attend
| Vehicle | Registered |
| Tesla Model 3 | 3 |
| Tesla Model S | 3 |
| Chevrolet Bolt | 2 |
| Chevrolet Volt | 2 |
| Other Plug-In Vehicle | 2 |
| BMW i3 REx | 1 |
| Fiat 500e | 1 |
| Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid | 1 |
| Tesla Roadster | 1 |
| 9 Models | 16 |
Registered attendees report 381,813 electric miles driven.
In the News…
