Masks On, EVs Out: Louisiana Clean Fuels Hosts Safe and Fun Celebration for National Drive Electric Week 2020!

COVID-19 couldn’t put a damper on our EV enthusiasm! Despite continued pandemic concerns, this year’s National Drive Electric Week event at Tanger Outlet Mall in Gonzales had an excellent turn-out with masks, social distancing, and a noticeable lack of vehicle emissions. It was our first in-person event since the Clean Fuels Classic in March, just as pandemic closures hit Louisiana, and the Louisiana Clean Fuels staff stepped up to the plate with enthusiasm. With beautiful weather and lots of friendly (masked) faces, the event was a great success. 

There were over a dozen vehicles lined up in an EV Alley in front of Tanger, including all four Tesla models, both the Chevy Bolt and Volt, a Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, and a Jaguar IPACE, and the owners of these vehicles reported over 326,000 collective electric miles driven. We were happy to see our friends from the Tesla Louisiana Owners and Dreamers Facebook Group turn out in droves once again to support our EV outreach efforts for NDEW! These fabulous Tesla owners love driving electric and are always happy to show off their EVs and discuss all the fun benefits of owning a Tesla.

One of the highlights of the event was seeing several Tesla Model Ys - Tesla’s newest EV - on display, including one set up in camping mode; attendees were able to see the Model Y with the tent hitched up to the back of the vehicle, showing off the shady sitting area for any enthusiastic campers or tailgaters. After seeing the display, Tyler, LCF’s Co-Coordinator whose love for Tesla is well-known, said wistfully, “Okay, now I definitely want a Model Y.” There was also a splendid Jaguar IPACE on display courtesy of the Paretti Family of Dealerships, a big supporter of LCF and our EV outreach efforts. A big thanks to all of the EV owners who brought out their vehicles and their enthusiasm for conversation!

We had a great time speaking with attendees about electric vehicles, with many attendees asking questions about NDEW, the benefits of EVs, and Louisiana Clean Fuels. Many expressed appreciation for the vehicles on display and spent time mingling with the volunteer EV owners. One attendee approached LCF staff to compliment a talkative EV owner, saying, “He knows everything about all the Tesla models! He had a ton of great information for us!”

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s NDEW event was packed full of EV newbies and enthusiasts alike. After a mostly event-less, quarantined summer down here in Louisiana and across the world, it almost seemed as if everyone was particularly happy to get out and participate in a safe social event to celebrate sustainability and cleaner driving.

We at LCF had a fantastic time spreading the word about electric vehicles during #NDEW2020, and we can’t wait to make next year’s National Drive Electric Week even better! Thanks so much to everyone who helped to put on the event or who came out to show their support!