National Drive Electric Week
SLO EV Ride & Drive
San Luis Obispo, CA
Oct 01, 2022

Event Report

SAN LUIS OBISPO HOSTS SUCCESSFUL EV EVENT

Over 100 people attended Saturday’s SLO EV Ride and Drive event to check out a wide variety of electric cars and bikes on display, with dealer models from CB Chevrolet, Mercedes Benz of SLO and Perry Ford available for test drives. The Central Coast Tesla Owners Club offered rides in their Model S and Model 3. Two local bike dealers, Cambria Bicycle Outfitters and Motion Madness offered test rides from a selection of a dozen e-bikes and scooters. EV owners were there to answer questions about the joys and challenges of driving electric. A free brunch prepared by Wicked Garden was provided for all volunteers, exhibitors, and everyone who took a test drive or e-bike ride. Coffee and baked treats were offered to all attendees by TablewareShare SLO, served with reusable plates and cups to make this a near zero-waste event.

SLO Mayor Erica Stewart and retired PG&E meteorologist John Lindsey both spoke at the event, sharing their reasons for driving electric and how the City and our utility provider are making electric transportation cleaner and easier for all. The speeches were amplified from a sound system plugged into a Rivian truck, one of the many popular EVs on display. Other unique EVs included a 2008 Tesla Roadster and two Ford F-150 Lightnings. One of the Lightnings open frunk served as an ice chest for cold drinks while also powering a popcorn maker. The back of the cab was set up with an electric table saw, illustrating the versatility of this groundbreaking electric truck.

Several event co-sponsors provided information and answered questions about driving electric, how to determine the best EV for one's needs, and how to obtain financial assistance to purchase an EV. The SLO Climate Coalition featured its Resilient SLO program that helps residents to not only green their ride, but also take action to go carbon neutral in their homes. The Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition (C5) and Community Environmental Council (CEC) both had a large variety of clean transportation literature and the CEC invited potential EV purchasers to sign up for the Access Clean California program that help buyers maximize financial assistance.

The venue for the SLO EV Ride & Drive event was freely provided once again by Madonna Enterprises, owner of the very popular Prefumo Creek Commons shopping center. Adjacent retailers, Target and Dick’s Sporting Goods, were very supportive of the event and allowed us to post signs in their parking lots and near the entry to their stores.

photo by: SLO Climate Coalition Erica Stewart, Mayor of San Luis Obispo was introduced by Justin Bradshaw of SLO Climate Coalition. The sound system was powered by the Rivian, one of 20 EVs at the event.

Event Description

San Luis Obispo's 5th annual EV Ride & Drive will be held at a new location next to the Tesla Superchargers behind Dick's Sporting Goods

Check out a wide variety of electric cars, trucks, bikes, and scooters, many of which will be available for a test drive or ride. Featured EVs include the brand new Rivian pickup, Ford F-150 Lightning, and the new Chevy Bolt EUV. EV owners will be on hand to answer your questions and talk about the joys of driving and riding electric. At noon, SLO Mayor Erica Stewart will be sharing her electric ride and drive story and what the city is doing to make it easier for all of us to travel carbon free. Snacks and drinks will be served. The first 75 test drivers will receive a free brunch (breakfast burrito, cookie, and a drink)

Event funding and promotional support provided by

Registered Attendees

There are currently 120 attendees registered.

Owners of These Vehicles Have Registered To Attend

Registered attendees report 761,150 electric miles driven.