National Drive Electric Week
Old Saybook, CT
Sep 21, 2019

Event Report

The 2019 event was the second annual National Drive Electric Week (NDEW) event to be held in Old Saybrook at Saybrook Point, a scenic town park along the waterfront of the Connecticut River.

65 people registered for this event on the NDEW website. Pre-event registrants included 27 EVs. Actual counts of people at the event indicated that 200 individuals attended. Many attendees (non-EV owners) signed in at the event rather than registered online. We estimate that over half of all attendees were non-EV owners. 

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 with EV owners and representatives from car dealers about owning and driving EVs. Raffle prizes of two gift certificates for Sunday brunch at the Fresh Salt restaurant (at the adjacent Saybrook Point Inn) were awarded at the end of the ''Q&A'' session.

At the actual event, the total number of EVs displayed was 30, including vehicles brought by dealers. EV models brought by owners included the Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model S, Chevrolet Bolt, Chevrolet Volt, BMW i3, Volkswagen e-Golf, and two vintage electric vehicles. 

Among the new EV models brought by local car dealers were the Audi e-tron, Hyundai Kona EV SUV, the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid, and Mercedes-Benz GLC 350 Plug In-Hybrid SUV. Besides EV cars, also on display and available for test drives were three different models of e-bikes. Representatives from solar vendors were present at tables to explain solar panel installation.

Two vintage EVs from the prestigious Lillie Collection on display were a 1922 Detroit Electric and a 1921 Milburn Light Electric. The owners also brought an original battery from one of the EVs that was still active and was used to illuminate a light bulb!

We wish to thank the Old Saybrook NDEW “staff,” the Connecticut Chapter of the Sierra Club, and Bill and Linda Lillie of Gales Ferry. We also extend a special thanks to Bishops Orchards of Guilford for their donation of apple cider (Fall 2019 crop) and apple cider donuts, to Saybrook Point Inn for their donation of two gift certificates for Sunday brunch at the Fresh Salt restaurant used in our raffle, and to Big Y for their donation of deli sandwiches.

photo by: Robert Langdon Top: Veronica Makowsky at our Information Table in front of the Saybrook Point Pavilion Building; Old Saybrook Town Electronic Sign in front of The Kate (Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center) on Main Street; Vintage EV (1921 Milburn Light Electric) from the Lillie Collection; Bottom: EVs with their owners talking to attendees; Vintage EV (1922 Detroit Electric) and Chevy Bolt in front of the Saybrook Point Pavilion Building.

Event Description

"Electrify Your Drive!" 

A Free EV Car Show and Information Session 

The Town of Old Saybrook is hosting an educational event about electric vehicles at Saybrook Point for all interested people to highlight the clean-air and cost-savings advantages of these now widely available vehicles. 

Experienced EV owners will discuss why they are enthusiastic about their all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles and how they use them on their daily commutes and longer distance drives, as well as how they charge the cars’ batteries. The Old Saybrook event is part of the ninth annual National Drive Electric Week (NDEW) and is one of more than 300 local events nationwide. Last year’s event at Saybrook Point attracted over 100 participants, including 23 EV drivers who brought their own vehicles to display.

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.

The event will include a Question-and-Answer session inside the Pavilion building with a panel of EV owners/drivers and EV experts from local auto dealers. Saybrook Point Inn (adjacent to the venue) will provide gift certificates to its Fresh Salt restaurant for raffle prizes to be awarded at the Q&A session. Light refreshments will include apple cider and apple cider donuts from Bishops Orchards of Guilford (Fall 2019 crop) and sandwiches from Big Y in Old Saybrook.

Attendees will learn about special savings programs for Connecticut EV drivers, including state rebates and federal tax credits, for purchasing and leasing electric vehicles.

High performance sports cars, sedans, SUVs, and even pickup trucks are now or soon to be available in EV format, many with longer (over-200-mile) driving ranges. Plug-in vehicles by Nissan, Chevrolet, Mercedes Benz, Toyota, Honda, Tesla, Audi, BMW, and other automakers will be displayed and some will be available for test ride-and-drives. Local auto dealers will provide vehicles for test drives.  EV and Plug-In Hybrid EV owners are encouraged to register for this event and to bring their vehicles for all or part of the event. Start by clicking on the "Participate" button above.

First Selectman Carl Fortuna will present a proclamation naming 14–22 September as “2019 Old Saybrook Drive Electric Week.”

2018 Old Saybrook NDEW Event

2018 Old Saybrook NDEW Event: Q&A Session in Pavilion Building

Registered Attendees

There are currently 65 attendees registered.

Owners of These Vehicles Have Registered To Attend

Registered attendees report 694,714 electric miles driven.

In the News…

• Free EV Car Show and Information Session Hosted in Old Saybrook (page 12)
• Electrify Your Drive! Free EV Car Show in Old Saybrook