For the fifth year, the public was invited to meet with local EV owners, test drive a variety of EVs from local dealerships, and learn from industry experts at the Channel Islands Harbor (Oxnard) NDEW event. This year’s EV Showcase and Ride n’ Drive occurred on September 26th and was organized by Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance (VCREA), EV Advocates of Ventura, and the Los Padres Chapter of the Sierra Club.

In keeping with tradition, the weather was perfect and brought out over 650 participants to enjoy our great coastal environment. In addition to the 52 registered vehicles, throughout the day, another dozen or so EVs showed up to add to the showcase. Four EVs were available for test drives and more than 48 vehicles were on display, including some unusual and popular vehicles on display - a converted 1965 Mustang, 1965 Ford Falcon Van, 1969 Subaru Sambar, Port of Hueneme’s new BEV Electric Yard Tractor (UTR), a Spira Pizza Delivery Trike, and Ocean View School District’s new 84-passenger Bluebird School Bus.

Several booths provided information on rebates, environmental and air quality benefits of EVs, and local EV programs, including the Los Padres Chapter of the Sierra Club, Community Environmental Council, Ventura Air Pollution Control District, Central Coast Clean Cities, EV Advocates of Ventura County, VCREA, and the Port of Hueneme.  Local sponsors included SCE, Sierra Club Los Padres Chapter, and County of Ventura.

The event was co-located with the regular Sunday Farmers Market, which provided more visibility and gave participants the opportunity to get some great eats and provisions.

Lastly, one benefit of our continued use of this location is that the Channel Islands Harbor District is finishing the installation of EV charging equipment in the harbor.

Next year will even be better!

RETURN OF THE OUTDOOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE SHOWCASE AND

RIDE AND DRIVE

West Channel Park, between Cabezone Circle and Barracuda Way

Just south of the Farmers Market.

For the return of in-person events, there will be a gathering of electric vehicles (EVs) and advocates to share their experiences, knowledge, and enthusiasm. Local EV dealers will also have sales vehicles on display with marketing materials and the opportunity to take a test drive. Community organizations will have representatives to discuss options to purchase EVs using various rebate programs.

 If you are interested in going electric, please join us and check out the variety of EVs on display.  Talk to EV owners and learn from their experiences. Check out EVs from local dealers and get a first-hand driving experience in an EV.

 If you are an EV owner - register using the "Participate" button and bring your car to the event, share your real-life experience about driving an EV with others in your community and network with your fellow EV drivers. This is an opportunity for us to come together to make connections and influence change. 

 Vehicles on display by their owners will be current models and included among them are some vintage cars, neighborhood vehicles, bikes, and even a school bus. For information about other EV events in the Tri-County (Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo) Region, click here.

All participants and volunteers will be eligible for prizes raffled off throughout the day. Take a test drive and receive a coupon for a free personal pizza! 

Volunteers are needed to help spread the word, distribute flyers before and during the day of the event, setup and have a good time mingling with EV drivers. Sign up using the volunteer button at the top of this page. Volunteers and Dealership staff will receive a Target gift card and lunch.

 National Drive Electric Week is presented nationally by Plug In America, the Electric Auto Association, the Sierra Club, and EVHybridNoire. Local sponsors include Edison International, Los Padres Chapter Sierra Club, Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance, and Community Environmental Council. On the ground support and organization is being provided by the EV Advocates of Ventura County.

Sponsored By