In partnership with NRG Energy, Inc., Sustainable Princeton hosted the 3rd annual Electric Evening on Friday, September 30. This free community festival celebrates the latest in carbon-free commuter technology and features test drives of some of the latest models of e-bikes and electric vehicles.

This year, the location changed from the Princeton Shopping Center to the Westminster Choir College, allowing for more cars, more bikes, and the addition of food vendors. The festival also featured a community EV showcase where local electric car and bike owners were available to answer questions and talk about what it’s like to own and drive an EV in Princeton.

An estimated 300 people joined us to experience the many benefits of going electric by talking to owners, test driving the latest models of EVs, test-riding e-bikes, and viewing displays of electric motorcycles and low speed vehicles.

Assemblywoman Sadaf F. Jaffer and Princeton Mayor Mark Freda both gave opening remarks. In attendance were Princeton Councilmembers: Mia Sacks, David Cohen, Eve Niedergang, Michelle Pirone Lambrose as well as Mercer County Commissioner Andrew Koontz.

The event was generously sponsored by NRG Energy Inc. Organizing partners included New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJCAR) and New Jersey Electric Vehicle Association (NJEVA).

Tabling at the event also drew strong attention, as tabling organizations were in continual conversation with guests. Our event partner, NRG Energy Inc., shared information about their carbon offset program. The Central Jersey Electric Auto Association was also on hand to promote their electric vehicle acceleration efforts. The Princeton Art Museum drew attention with the display of their two solar-powered low-speed vehicles as two staff members from their Transportation and Parking Services department were on hand to discuss sustainable transportation efforts on campus as well as their new electric buses coming soon! The Princeton Bicycle Advisory Committee again hosted a Bike Valet which saw a healthy level of use throughout the evening.

Additional tabling organizations included the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), PSE&G, Princeton Municipality’s Engineering and Town Master Planning offices, and Princeton Electrical Makeover (PEM).

The new location allowed for additional vendors this year including the Thai Cha Chak Food Truck, bent spoon, Sprouts Flowers. These additional vendors provided attendees with tasty food and treats while perusing the event offerings. Musical group Sustainable Jazz provided a wonderful jazzy atmosphere throughout the event.

This year’s event hosted three vendors’ demo e-bikes. Sourland Cycles participated for the third time, joined by Princeton E-bikes for their second year, and Pedego Priceton joined for their first year. Between the three e-bike vendors there were 16 models available for test rides. Princeton High School Bike Club (PHS Bike Club) was also on hand, offering free, light bike repairs including: pumping tires, minor brake adjustments, changing seat heights, and applying lubricant to brakes, chains, derailers, and shifters. PHS Bike Club also collected old bikes to refurbish and give to Princeton’s underserved population. 

22 first responders participated in a concurrent safety training class about EVs. The training required the first responders to examine the vehicles on display to learn about where the battery is in each vehicle.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9PVyOD5H3M