National Drive Electric Week
WCVI Ponte Las Pilas Ride and Drive
Cudahy, CA
Sep 30, 2023
WCVI Ponte Las Pilas Ride and Drive
Cudahy, CA
Sep 30, 2023
Sponsored By
| Day: | Saturday, September 30, 2023 NOTE: this event has already happened, find current-year events on the Attend page. |
| Time: | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm PDT |
| Location: | Cudahy Park 5240 Santa Ana St Cudahy, CA 90201 |
Event Report
On Saturday, September 30, William C. Velásquez Institute (WCVI) joined with leading Electric Vehicle experts, Southern California Edison and Plug in America to bring an EV experience to southeast Los Angeles (SELA) via WCVI's Ponte Las Pilas Ride and Drive as part of National Drive Electric Week. WCVI held the Ride and Drive at Cudahy Park. Cudahy is predominantly Latino working class and has a population of 44,000. Ponte Las Pilas, (English: put in the batteries) brings Electric Vehicles to Latino neighborhoods for residents to experience first-hand.WCVI conducted a multi-faceted outreach effort leading up the Ride and Drive Event. Activities included: targeted social media ads, Nextdoor advertising, Latino radio ads, SELA neighborhood block walking, participation in SELA events, as well as text messaging, phone bank and robo calls. Through our efforts over 25,000 residents were reached. Local Southeast Los Angeles community groups, government agencies and residents partnered with WCVI to promote the event to their networks. Participating groups included Food Fleet, USC Credit Union, Grid Alternatives, City of Bell Gardens, Anahuak Youth Sports Association,Vision y Compromiso, Southwest Voter Registration Education Project (Svrep), Los Angeles County, Department on Mental Health, Los Angeles County ISD, USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging, Community Family Service Center, American Job Corp, Hub Cities of South Gate, and Corazon y Caracter.
Over 110 southeast Los Angeles (SELA) residents test drove the Toyota bZ4X electric crossover from Penske Toyota of Downey and the Nissan Ariya and Leaf. Sponsors included: Southern California Edison, City of Cudahy and Nissan. Additionally, Electric Vehicle owners were onsite to answer questions and show their vehicles. Those EVs were the BMWi4, Chevy Bolt and Nissan Leaf.
Food from 5elementosla and Glazed and Confused was enjoyed by all as well as entertainment by DJ Choco Flan.
As WCVI grows its Ponte Las Pilas, EV organizations, manufacturers and policy leaders are recognizing the importance of engaging Latinos and communities of color in removing barriers and accelerating plug-in electric vehicle use in Los Angeles.
Event Description
William C. Velasquez Institute is hosting an Electric Vehicle Ride and Drive event, Ponte Las Pilas, with a variety of sustainably minded vendors, a food truck, music, kid-friendly activities, and Electric Vehicles. The event is set for Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 10am-2pm at Cudahy Park 5240 Santa Ana Street, Cudahy California 90201
Ponte Las Pilas, translated to English, is put in the batteries. WCVI is utilizing this phrase to engage Latino and minority communities about the benefits of Electric Vehicles. This event, the 2nd event of its kind (WCVI recently held a Ride and Drive in Boyle Heights) will bring Electric Vehicles to a Latino neighborhood for residents to experience firsthand. Different models of EVs will be available to test drive, ride in, or view at this event. Hybrid and EV owners will be onsite to answer questions about EVs. Information will also be available about rebates and incentives, EV financing, and available jobs in the industry.
Registered Attendees
There are currently 46 attendees registered.
Owners of These Vehicles Have Registered To Attend
| Vehicle | Registered |
| Tesla Model Y | 3 |
| BMW i4 | 1 |
| Chevrolet Bolt | 1 |
| Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive | 1 |
| Other Plug-In Vehicle | 1 |
| Polestar 2 | 1 |
| Tesla Model 3 | 1 |
| Tesla Roadster | 1 |
| Volkswagen ID.4 | 1 |
| 9 Models | 11 |
Registered attendees report 591,428 electric miles driven.
