National Drive Electric Week
Kick Gas! in Annapolis
Annapolis, MD
Sep 26, 2021
Kick Gas! in Annapolis
Annapolis, MD
Sep 26, 2021
| Day: | Sunday, September 26, 2021 NOTE: this event has already happened, find current-year events on the Attend page. |
| Time: | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm EDT |
| Location: | Susan Campbell Park, City Dock Dock Street at the Harbor Annapolis, MD 21401 |
Event Report
Annapolis Green just completed a half-year of EV information that started with Drive Electric Earth Day and ended with our Kick Gas! In Annapolis celebration of National Drive Electric Week with a big EV Showcase on September 26. In the course of the six months we even included an online trivia night with a professional comedian and were thrilled to include, in our family of sponsors, a yacht brokerage that represents electric boats.
We encouraged the public to join us in switching out their rides from fossil-fueled to electric. It’s something almost everyone can do as EVs become more and more affordable and the number of charging locations continues to grow.
Why is an environmental organization like Annapolis Green advocating for driving electric? We do so because driving electric eliminates pollution on the road — right where you are breathing. About 80% of the carbon load on our atmosphere comes from transportation. Driving electric is one thing almost everyone can do to combat the effects of the Climate Crisis that is threatening our planet, our wellbeing, and life as we know it today.
On September 26, 2021, several hundred people joined us at Susan Campbell Park, right by the harbor, for a showcase of more than 60 new and pre-owned EVs, electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and an electric yacht. The event kicked off in a festive way with Annapolis’ own fabulous Naptown Brass Band leading a Second Line parade from the top of Ego Alley to our event. That New Orleans music “Charged Up” the crowd! Next, officials from all four levels of government spoke about the importance of driving electric for Climate Change reasons.
Speakers were Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, Maryland Secretary of the Environment Ben Grumbles, and US Senator Chris Van Hollen.
Other dignitaries present included Maryland Public Service Commission Chairman Jason Stanek, Maryland Deputy Secretary of Transportation R. Earl Lewis, Jr., Maryland State Senator Sarah Elfreth, Maryland Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo, Maryland Delegate Dana Jones, Annapolis Alderman Ross Arnett, and Anne Arundel County Councilwoman Lisa Rodvien.
After the remarks the dignitaries, led by Senator Van Hollen, cut a ribbon to officially open the show.
Members of the public were enthusiastic and asked more targeted questions than they have in the past. It seems people are coming around to the idea of driving electric. As one of our sponsors, Electrify America, says: It’s Normal Now.
Drivers brought and presented their own vehicles at the show and even showed off props like different types of charging nozzles and adapters. They gave the public information about taking long road trips with their EVs and shared “Fun Facts!” about driving electric.
Professor Bob Bruninga showed how he’s connected his Chevrolet Volt Plug-in Hybrid to his home during power outages allowing him to keep the lights on and more. One driver brought a beautiful Polestar 2, a car few of us had seen in person before. Other driver vehicles included the Jaguar i-Pace, Chevrolet Bolt, Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai KONA Electric, Nissan LEAF, Think City, Toyota Prius Prime, and Toyota RAV4 Prime Plug-in Hybrid.
Tesla drives brought all five models, from the original Roadster to the Model S sedan, Model 3 sedan, Model X SUV (with the impressive gull doors, brought by JD Taylor, president of the Maryland Tesla Owners group), and the Model Y smaller SUV.
Electric motorcycle drivers are just as enthusiastic about their quiet rides. We had both the Harley-Davidson LiveWire and the Zero brands. Sponsor Rommel Harley Davidson brought its new Series 1 electric bicycles, a big hit with test riders.
Sponsor BGE brought its Ford Mach-e and Chevrolet Bolt company cars, a charger demo model and a bucket truck! While the truck itself is not electric the arm that raises the bucket is, meaning that the truck can be turned off when it arrives on-site and the arm can be manipulated without a fossil-fueled generator too!
Police departments across the country are electrifying their fleets. The Hyattsville Police Department brought its Chevrolet Bolt police car and Zero electric motorcycle. The Montgomery County Police Department brought its Ford Mach-e police car.
While drivers talked with everyone, our dealer sponsors showed off the newest models. Porsche had two all-electric Taycans, stunningly beautiful luxury EVs. Annapolis Cars brought the brand new Volvo XC40 Recharge compact SUV, another model few had ever seen in person. Annapolis Cars also brought the Hyundai Ioniq and the Subaru Crosstrek Plug-in Hybrid. Fitzgerald Volkswagen Annapolis – and several drivers – brought the ID.4 new EV model. BMW of Annapolis brought the brand new iX Sports Activity Vehicle.
Yacht Sales International docked the 39-foot Greenline hybrid electric yacht in one of the slips next to our show. The Greenline comes in an all-electric model as well. YSI also represents other electric yacht brands including the Alva.
Other local sponsors included Kristi Neidhardt Team (real estate), HD Squared Architects, K&B True Value, and Solar Energy Services. We are also grateful to the national NDEW sponsors for their support.
Our seminar series during the show were a hit! Thank you to:
- Ron Kaltenbaugh, President of the Electric Vehicle Association of Greater DC, for his talk on the connection between Driving Electric and Climate Change
- Kristy Fleischmann Groncki, Manager of Strategic Programs, Utility of the Future, BGE for her talk on how home charging affects your electric bill
- Tom Lewis, resident of The Point Condominium for discussing his experience arranging for installation of charging infrastructure in condos and other multi-family situations
- Melanie Hartwig-Davis, architect and principal of HD Squared Architects (and a show sponsor) for her talk on design for EV infrastructure at home, and her husband, government architect Lance Davis for discussing commercial EV infrastructure design
- Rick Peters, Partner of Solar Energy Services (and a show sponsor) for his talk on “Driving on Sunshine,” that is, powering EVs with solar energy
- K&B True Value also sponsored our show. The store has a large selection of electrically powered lawn care tools. Fossil-fueled lawn care products are more polluting than cars. Read more.
Neighborhood Sun presented information about obtaining solar power for your home without solar panels on the roof through community solar. And signing up for this service through Annapolis Green brings a donation to us too!
Other information presented to the public at the show:
- Map of charging station locations nearby
- Test rides on the Harley-Davidson Series 1 e-bicycle
- Information about the Electric Vehicle Association of Greater Washington DC (EVADC), the local drivers’ group
- Information about Spa Creek (the body of water that makes up the Annapolis Harbor area where the show was located) from the Spa Creek Conservancy
Thank you to the City of Annapolis, the Electric Vehicle Association of Greater DC (EVADC), and Eye on Annapolis for support for the show. Thank you also to the many volunteers who made this show possible including our colleagues at Poolesville Green, and to photographer Kenneth Tom for the photographs. Thank you also to aerial photographer Jeff Voigt for spectacular drone shots of the event, videographer Patrick Loughrey for video, and other EV show participants for other photos.
See photos and videos here: https://annapolisgreen.com/drive-electric/
Event Description
Sunday, September 26
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
City Dock
Join us at Susan Campbell Park, right by the Annapolis’ historic harbor, for a showcase of new and pre-owned EVs. Talk to owners. Talk to dealers. Learn about the EV driving experience. Learn about… EV basics, how to go on long trips in an EV, buying new, used and leasing, where charging is available locally, and the cost of charging on the go and at home.
The showcase is the culmination of six months of Electric Vehicle (EV) information supplied to the public by nonprofit Annapolis Green as part of its mission to encourage people to mitigate the effects of the Climate Crisis by driving emission-free.
More than 50 vehicles, including new cars brought by dealers, cars brought by their owners, motorcycles and e-bikes will be featured in the showcase. And – this being Annapolis – you’ll see electric yachts and smaller boats too. The event will highlight the climate, clean air, and cost savings benefits provided by driving electric.
Seminars offered will cover a number of topics including:
- Installation of home chargers, including in apartment and condo situations;
- How EV charging affects your electric bill;
- Driving on Sunshine;
- How driving electric can help mitigate the effects of Climate Change
- Designing for the future – wiring for EV charging at home
For updated information, visit our website.
WHAT YOU’LL SEE AT THE SHOW
Vehicles and boats brought by owners AND dealers
Your questions answered one-on-one by people who drive electric now
Seminars with Q&A
EV Charging Demo
Map of charging station locations nearby
Info about the Electric Vehicle Association of Greater Washington DC (EVADC), the local drivers’ group
Giveaways
EV informational handouts
Displays of EV-related products and services, like electric bikes!
Electric boating info by Yacht Sales International
AND MORE!
Registered Attendees
There are currently 132 attendees registered.
Owners of These Vehicles Have Registered To Attend
| Vehicle | Registered |
| Tesla Model 3 | 14 |
| Chevrolet Bolt | 7 |
| Tesla Model Y | 6 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | 4 |
| Chevrolet Volt | 3 |
| Hyundai KONA Electric | 3 |
| Tesla Model S | 3 |
| Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid | 2 |
| Harley Davidson LiveWire | 2 |
| Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid | 1 |
| Jaguar I-Pace | 1 |
| Nissan Leaf (2018+) | 1 |
| Polestar 2 | 1 |
| Porsche Taycan | 1 |
| Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid AWD | 1 |
| Tesla Model X | 1 |
| Think City | 1 |
| Toyota Prius Prime | 1 |
| Toyota RAV4 Prime 4WD/AWD | 1 |
| Volvo XC40 Recharge twin | 1 |
| Zero Motorcycle | 1 |
| 21 Models | 56 |
Registered attendees report 1,487,872 electric miles driven.
