National Drive Electric Week

National Drive Electric Week
North Country EV Show & Tell Event
Duluth, MN
Sep 08, 2022

Day: Thursday, September 8, 2022 NOTE: this event has already happened, find current-year events on the Attend page.
Time: 4:00 - 7:30 pm CDT
Location: Bayfront Festival Park
700 W Railroad St
Duluth, MN 55802
Contact the event organizers, which took place in 2022.

Event Report

More than 230 people attended the North Country EV Show & Tell Event on September 8, 2022, at Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth. It was a windy day with 25 mph steady winds! For a stand-alone event, the committee was pleased with the attendance although was hoping for more people and young families. Perhaps the first week of school and the weather kept some people home. We're thankful for those who braved the weather and came. 

The one-hour discussion panel was the favorite part of the event, indicated by a survey among attendees. There were six individuals on the panel, which was moderated by Great River Energy's Rodney De Fouw. Panelists included Jukka Kukkonen from Shift2Electric, Philip Adam, a Tesla owner, David Ranallo from Great River Energy, Thor Underdahl from Minnesota Power, Jessica Johnson from Talon Metals and a last minute dealership replacement from Duluth. 

Following the discussion panel, Mason Dixon Line rocked the stage with live music. Food and beverage trucks were on site, including the Duluth Children's Museum for some fun hands-on learning activities for children.

Vehicles included commercial fleet, electric bicycles and light duty vehicles. Brands included: Odyne ePTO Hybrid truck, Ford F-150 Lightning, For e-Transit work van, BYD electric forklift, Volvo mini excavator, Mean Green Mowers, XOS SV05 Stepvan, Tesla (2, 3 and Y), BMW i4, Ford Mustang Mach-E GT, Kia Niro PHEV, Kia Niro EV6, Volkswagen ID4, Hyundai Kona electric, Polestar2, Chevy Bolts and a few other light duty models. 

Special thanks to Ski Hut of Duluth for borrowing their e-bikes for the event. Also, thank you for the great television coverage and interest by KBJR News Channel 6, WDIO and Fox21 News. It was great having you there! 

photo by: Tami Zaun
The crowd mingles and listens as the discussion panel provides valuable information and insight about electric vehicles and the industry.

Event Description

 

North Country EV Show & Tell Event

Thursday, September 8, 2022

4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Still kicking the tires about electric vehicles? Or maybe you already own one. Save the date and bring your family and lawn chairs to the North Country EV Show & Tell Event at the Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth! Admission and parking are free.  

Several types of electric vehicles (EVs) will be available to the public for viewing during an electric cooperative sponsored event on Thursday, September 8, 2022. The co-ops of northern Minnesota look forward to connecting those interested in EVs to those who have already made the leap to purchase an EV. 

What to Expect

·         4:00 p.m. Food and Beverage Vendors until 7:00 p.m.; See the EVs up close; Visit with EV experts.

·         5:00 p.m. Discussion Panel begins (bring your lawn chair to hear firsthand from a panel of EV experts – there will be a time for Q&A).

·         6:15 p.m. Live Concert by Mason Dixon Line! Also, see the EVs up close, visit with EV experts, and enjoy the food & beverage vendors.    

·         7:30 p.m. Event Concludes.

A discussion panel of electric vehicle owners and EV charging experts will kick off the event at 5:00 p.m. on the Bayfront Pavilion Stage, so bring a lawn chair to comfortably listen. Attendees will hear valuable information as the experts share about their experience owning an electric vehicle and will learn about today’s charging technologies, and the programs available through their local electric provider for home charging. There will be a question-and-answer time for the audience as well.

Take a look at the EVs on display where you can sit inside and talk with the owners about their experiences owning and driving an electric vehicle. Take a spin on an electric bicycle too.

Over a dozen makes and models of electric vehicles will be on site for public viewing. This is a must attend event for EV enthusiasts and those who are curious and want to learn more.

Dinner Options

Several food and beverage vendors will be available starting at 4:00 p.m. until the event concludes at 7:00 p.m. This will be a fun event where you can have dinner or light snacks while learning about electric vehicles and connecting with your co-op community. Bring the kids so they can have fun and learn about electric vehicles too!

·         BoB-a-Q Smokehouse & Grill

·         Na-cho Bizness

·         Kernel’s Best Kettle Korn

·         Love Creamery

·         Blackwoods (beer, wine and seltzers) 

Music

Mason Dixon Line will take the stage at 6:15 p.m. This will be a can’t miss concert! The concert is free for public attendance and is being sponsored by several electric cooperatives.

Tracy Byrd, who has 25 Billboard country hits says, “These guys are AWESOME!!!”

Mason Dixon Line (MDL) is the Midwest’s premier country-rock outfit. Formed in 2018, brothers Justin and Jason Ploof along with seasoned musicians Micah Barrett and Tony Mazzone came together to celebrate the rich history of country music and its inhabitants.

The band focuses on a live show that brings their audiences the biggest hits of country music’s Hall of Famers and icons. The group has been the supporting act for some of country music’s biggest names including Tanya Tucker, John Michael Montgomery, Tracy Byrd, Neil McCoy, Sawyer Brown, Craig Morgan and many more!

MDL continues to build an amazing set list of foot stomping classics you’re guaranteed to sing along with and dance to.

Website: https://masondixonlineband.com/home  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/masondixonlineband

Sponsors

This event is sponsored exclusively by: Arrowhead Electric Cooperative, Cooperative Light & Power, East Central Energy, Lake Country Power, Great River Energy and Minnesota Clean Cities.

Shift2Electric, several EV owners and local dealerships will be on hand as well. 

You can still catch the North Country Show & Tell Event that took place on September 30, 2021 online at this link: https://www.facebook.com/lakecountrypower/videos/189968979913913   

Registered Attendees

There are currently 21 attendees registered.

Owners of These Vehicles Have Registered To Attend

Vehicle Registered
Ford Mustang Mach-E 1
Hyundai KONA Electric 1
Kia EV6 1
Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid 1
Tesla Model S 1
Tesla Model Y 1
6 Models 6

Registered attendees report 248,380 electric miles driven.

Presented By

Plugin America logo
Electric Vehicle Association logo
Sierra Club logo
EVHybridNoire logo
Drive Electric USA logo

All NDEW 2024 sponsors support Plug In America's coordination of National Drive Electric Week.

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