National Drive Electric Week

National Drive Electric Week
Lawrence, KS
Sep 15, 2018

Day: Saturday, September 15, 2018 NOTE: this event has already happened, find current-year events on the Attend page.
Time: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Location: The Merc Co+op
901 Iowa St.
Lawrence, KS 66044
Contact the event organizers, which took place in 2018.

Event Report

The Lawrence Electric Vehicle Showcase was organized by the Sustainability Action Network with the help of our co-sponsors, The Sierra Club/Wakarusa Group, and The Merc Co+op grocery store. We held the event in The Merc's parking lot where they had just installed two 16-bay solar PV carports and an EV charging station.

We had 18 cars total, plus 5 electric bicycles (including an ELF, electric assist tricycle by Organic Transit). The showcase participants displayed four Tesla Model S (including Founder's Edition serial #28), three Tesla Model 3, two Tesla Model X, three Nissan LEAF, two Chevrolet Bolts, one Chevrolet Volt, one Toyota Prius Plus, one Ford C-MAX Energi, and one Mercedes B-Class B250e. The Prius Plus was brought by the local Toyota dealer. Several cars came from a distance - Topeka KS, Kansas City, Lee's Summit MO, and the farthest from Kearney MO, 65 miles away. One participant also brought a Ninebot One (Google it).

Brian McClendon, of Google Earth fame, brought his Tesla Model S, 2012 Founder's Edition, serial #28. Two City Commissioners brought electric vehicles - Lisa Larsen rode her E-bicycle, and Jennifer Ananda drove her 2014 Chevrolet Volt. The City Commission also issued a Mayor's Proclamation for our Drive Electric Day. Our estimated attendance was 200.


photo by: Michael Almon, Sustainability Action Network
2012 Founder's Edition Signature Red #28 Tesla Model S, 2014 Chevrolet Volt, 2013 Nissan LEAF, 2017 Tesla Model X, Brian McClendon (tall, wearing blue)

Event Description

 

The Sustainability Action Network is presenting this plug-in electric vehicle (EV) showcase, in conjunction with The Merc Co+op and the Sierra Club: Wakarusa Group.


Honda Clarity, Toyota Prius Prime, Tesla Model S, Nissan Leaf

See a variety of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) in the Merc Co+op parking lot – Nissan LEAF, Tesla Model S, Toyota Prius Prime, Chevy Bolt, Chevy Volt, Honda Clarity, and more. You’ll be able to talk with their owners, and learn about the advantages of driving an EV.





The Merc Co+op features solar parking canopies and a solar powered EV charging station. When an EV is solar charged, it can truly be a net-zero carbon vehicle. Even if charged from a fossil fueled utility, an EV has a much lower carbon footprint than a petroleum auto.

solar parking canopies, The Merc Co+op


With no engine, transmission, distributor, starter, clutch, muffler, or catalytic converter, an EV is significantly lighter than a gasoline car. And electric motors are more energy efficient than internal combustion engines.


Driving on electricity is about five times cheaper than fueling with gasoline. EVs get 100mpg equivalent or better. The driving range of most EVs is from 100 miles to 315 miles, and they are capable of quick recharging to 80%. EVs are smooth and quiet and fun to drive, with high torque and instant acceleration.


Locally Sponsored by:

The Sustainability Action Network: Energy Conservation Program - http://www.sustainabilityaction.net/

The Merc Co+op - http://www.themerc.coop/

The Sierra Club: Wakarusa Group - http://kansas.sierraclub.org/wakarusa-group/

Registered Attendees

There are currently 45 attendees registered.

Owners of These Vehicles Have Registered To Attend

Vehicle Registered
Tesla Model 3 4
Tesla Model S 4
Chevrolet Bolt 2
Nissan Leaf (2011-2017) 2
Nissan Leaf (2018+) 2
Chevrolet Volt 1
Ford C-MAX Energi 1
Other Plug-In Vehicle 1
Tesla Model X 1
Toyota Plug-in Prius 1
10 Models 19

Registered attendees report 423,637 electric miles driven.

In the News…

Presented By

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

Platinum Level Sponsors

Gold Level Sponsor

Silver Level Sponsor

Bronze Level Sponsor

Green Level Sponsor

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

Back to top