National Drive Electric Week
2023 Chattanooga Drive Electric Festival
Chattanooga, TN
Sep 30, 2023
| Day: |
Saturday, September 30, 2023 NOTE: this event has already happened, find current-year events on the Attend page. |
| Time: |
11:00 am - 3:00 pm EDT |
| Location: |
Chattanooga State Community College, McCormick Center
4501 Amnicola Hwy.
Chattanooga, TN
37406
|
Event Report
Summary of Chattanooga Drive Electric Festival at Chattanooga State Community College McCormick Center, Chattanooga, TN
The Chattanooga Drive Electric Festival, held on September 30,
2023, on the vibrant campus of Chattanooga State Community College
(CSCC), TN, was regarded as a success, celebrating the future of
sustainable transportation. This event, open to the public, showcased
the latest advancements in electric vehicles (EVs), from both fully
battery electric to plug-in hybrid electric, promoting eco-conscious
commuting. Attracting a diverse audience of industry professionals,
enthusiasts, and the general public. Attendees had the opportunity to
explore various electric car models, speak to EV owners about their
real-world experience, and take part in dealer rides and drives. The
festival featured a diverse range of electric vehicles, from electric
cars and trucks to innovative electric bicycles and scooters. Attendees
had the opportunity to explore and even test-drive these vehicles,
provided by local area dealers, allowing them to experience the electric
future firsthand. Also on hand were two examples of Chattanooga Area
Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) electric buses.
Distinguished
guests included the honorable Mayor of Chattanooga, Tim Kelly, who
spoke passionately about the city's commitment to sustainability and the
importance of transitioning to electric transportation. Rebecca
Ashford, Ed.D., President of CSCC welcomed attendees to the event,
sharing insights into the role of education in promoting green
initiatives. Other officials from CSCC were on hand, including Tremaine
B. Powell, Ph.D., Dean of Engineering & Information Technologies,
sharing details of the school's new advanced degrees for electric
vehicles and charging infrastructure.
The
festival showcased some remarkable EVs that captured the imagination of
attendees. From the impressive range of Tesla Model 3 to the size and
power of the Hummer EV, there was something for everyone to marvel at.
Also on hand were the latest examples from Cadillac with their new Lyric
to those from Subaru and Toyota with the BZ4X / Solterra shared
platform. There was even a remote control Cyber Truck running around the
event grounds.
The event wouldn't have been
possible without the generous support of our sponsors and partners. We
extend our heartfelt gratitude to CSCC, EPB, TVA, CARTA, The Company
Lab, Green Spaces, Sierra Club, Adventure Sports Innovation, Scenic City
Solar, Integrity Automotive Group, Capital Toyota, and Lexus of
Chattanooga, among others, for their invaluable contributions in making
this event a reality.
The Chattanooga Drive
Electric Festival at CSCC, served as a platform to promote environmental
consciousness and foster community engagement, highlighting both the
City of Chattanooga and the college's commitment to sustainability. We
look forward to continuing our efforts in driving positive change and
inspiring the adoption of electric vehicles for a cleaner and greener
future.
photo by: Luke Ector
Drone shot during the first hour of Chattanooga's 2023 Drive Electric Festival.
|
More photos from this event.
Event Description
Sponsored locally by Adventure Sports Innovation, Capital
Toyota, CARTA, Chattanooga State Community College, CO.LAB, EPB, Green |
Spaces, Integrity Auto Group, Lexus of Chattanooga, Scenic City Solar, the Sierra Club, &
TVA
Chattanooga State McCormick Center, 4501 Amnicola Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37406
September 30th - 11 AM - 3 PM
Join us on Saturday, September 30th, for the second annual "Chattanooga Drive Electric Festival" at Chattanooga State Community College!
Explore the fun and experience of owning an electric vehicle (EV) firsthand. Come and see the latest in plug-in hybrid and all-electric EVs; cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, bikes, scooters, and more .....
Never rode in an EV? Now is your chance! Test rides will be available to event participants, free and open to the public from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
You can see and compare a wide range of EV models in
one place. Owners and auto dealers will have numerous vehicles for show throughout the day. Expected owner vehicles include
RIVIAN R1T, R1S, Ford F-150 Lighting and Mustang
Mach-E, Energica, Porsche Taycan, Tesla Models 3, Y, S, and X, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia
EV6, Chevrolet Bolts and Volts, Volkswagen ID.4, and more.
Involved in electric Longboards, eBikes, balancing boards, eScooters, unicycles, swing cars, and much more.
If you can dream it Adventure Sports Innovation has it.
Looking for more info on local installers of solar. Scenic City Solar will be attending as well!
EPB leads the charge toward electrification with
their Energy Pros and the local deployment of charging stations. They have once again pushed Chattanooga Forward.
CARTA has been a local leader in sustainable transport for many decades.
CARTA’s involvement in electric vehicles started in 1990 when it
decided
to use electric (battery-operated) buses for Chattanooga’s downtown
shuttle. The Downtown Electric Shuttle is the easiest way to get around
Downtown Chattanooga. It’s a FREE ride! Electric buses run daily from
the Chattanooga Choo Choo to the Tennessee Aquarium with stops at every
block in between. Convenient access to the attractions, convention
center, shopping, hotels & employment sites in the Downtown area.
All Shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible. Since its initiation in
1992, CARTA’s Downtown Shuttle has carried millions of passengers. CARTA
is now expanding boundaries with their BYD electric bus soon to go into
operation on UTC's campus.
Since 2007, through our advocacy and incentive campaigns, education and training classes, design competitions, and other programs, green|spaces have advanced the sustainability of living, working, and building in Chattanooga.
"We continue to develop new programming that advances our shared mission of meeting our responsibility to be stewards of the environment and raising the quality of life for residents and visitors." - Green | Spaces
Time Line of Arrival
The EVent is open to the public from 11 AM until 3 PM on Saturday, September 30th.
Since we are near or at full capacity, we ask participants to arrive in stages. Exhibitors should plan on arriving after 10:00 before car show participants to set up their displays and position any EVs nearby. If exhibitors arrive in a non-electric vehicle, we ask that once unloaded, you move your vehicle to a separate public parking area that is available to you at no cost. We ask that car show participants arrive after 10:15 AM. There will be two tent/canopies set up for sign-in: exhibitors/car participants and the public. We aim to have everyone situated before the event opens to the public at 11 AM.
DESC staff will direct you to your designated space. LET ME KNOW if you’re coming late or have any special requirements to stage your presence! Be aware that we have many EVs and exhibitors registered, some with large commercial vehicles. If car show participants and/or exhibitors cannot remain for the entire four hours, let us know upon check-in for adequate placement. This is a RAIN OR SHINE event, so be prepared as such. You are welcome to bring folding chairs to sit near your EVs. Remember to bring sunscreen, sunglasses & hats!
Registered Attendees
There are currently 139 attendees registered.
Owners of These Vehicles Have Registered To Attend
| Tesla Model 3 |
5 |
| Tesla Model S |
3 |
| Volkswagen ID.4 |
3 |
| BMW i3 REx |
2 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 |
2 |
| Nissan Leaf (2011-2017) |
2 |
| Nissan Leaf (2018+) |
2 |
| Porsche Taycan |
2 |
| Rivian R1S |
2 |
| Zero Motorcycle |
2 |
| Cadillac LYRIQ |
1 |
| Energica Ego |
1 |
| Energica Eva |
1 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning |
1 |
| Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid |
1 |
| Kia EV6 |
1 |
| Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4matic |
1 |
| Mitsubishi i-MiEV |
1 |
| Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid |
1 |
| Rivian R1T |
1 |
| Smart fortwo electric drive |
1 |
| Tesla Model X |
1 |
| Volvo XC40 Recharge |
1 |
| Volvo XC90 AWD PHEV |
1 |
| 24 Models |
39 |
Registered attendees report 1,230,184 electric miles driven.
