UPDATE – 2018 Event Recap

Drive Electric Week 2018 on the Big Island was a success, thanks to the support and generosity of our members and sponsors. We had two events this year, in Waimea and Hilo. The following is a summary of each event. (Similar information was shared with the National Drive Electric Week organizes so this was shared with the nation-wide network.)

Waimea Event

Our September 8, 2018 event was held at the Waimea Center. We had great weather throughout the event. Many club members in the area, along with a few who drove in from as far as Kona and Keaau, joined our event. They brought their cars and we had a good mix – Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model X, Tesla Mode S, Chevy Bolt, Nissan LEAF, BMW i3, VW eGolf, Chevy Volt and BYD SUV.

Local Nissan and Chevy dealerships brought the 2018 Nissan LEAF and Chevy Bolt, respectively. They fielded questions from several potential customers and took several on test drives. Getting potential buyers behind the wheel is really key to the purchase decision so local dealership participation is always very welcome.

Our local Citizens’ Climate Lobby representatives, Ron and Roberta Reilly, shared information about the Revenue Neutral Carbon Fee and Dividend concept. This strategy is key to solving our climate crisis. We look forward to learning from them and collaborating on future outreach activities.

Our local utility (Hawaii Electric Co.) joined and addressed questions regarding their Fast Charging infrastructure and TOU program. They also brought along their BYD (Chinese) electric SUV.

Ron Whitmore, Hawaii County Deputy Director, gave speech on sustainability and the role of electric cars in and presented the association with a letter of appreciation from the Mayor’s office.

We had decent foot traffic the throughout our event. Several guests had really basic questions about electric cars. Several attended for information to help finalize purchase decisions. (One of our members ordered a Tesla Model 3 a few days later.)

Thank you to the National Drive Electric Week organizers, KTA Superstores, Waimea Center, Ulupono Initiative, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Ron Whitmore, BIEVA volunteers, and event captain Richard Castro for making our event possible.

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For even more images and a video of our Waimea event, visit Gary Miller’s slideshow.

Hilo Event

Our September 15, 2018 Hilo event was held at The Home Depot. Despite the warm Hilo rain, we had a good turnout of club members and the general public. Members drove from Kona and Kau (West and South Hawaii) to join our event. One member drove 80 miles with his 1980’s Mercury Lynx EV conversion. We had a good selection of electric cars – Tesla Model 3, Model X, and Model S, Chevy Bolt and Volt, Kia Soul, Nissan LEAF, BMW i3, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Mercury Lynx, and the BYD SUV, a total of 23 electric cars.

Once again, Kamaaina Nissan and De Luz Chevy brought the 2018 Nissan LEAFs and Chevy Bolts, respectively, and they conducted several test drives! It was very good to see consistent engagement from our local electric car dealers. It highlights their commitment to their electrified product line and their customers.

Our Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) representatives were also on hand to share information about the Carbon Fee and Dividend concept. To learn more about the CCL and how you can be involved in helping to get this important climate solution off the ground in the US, go to their site – https://citizensclimatelobby.org.

Our local utility (Hawaii Electric Co.) addressed questions regarding their Fast Charging infrastructure and TOU program. They also brought along their BYD (‘Build Your Dream’) electric SUV.

Senator Russell Ruderman gave a speech about the importance of the electric car and shared his personal experience with his 2018 Nissan LEAF.

Heather Kimball, former Sierra Club chair, scientist, business owner, and local environmental leader, gave a speech about her experience (she also owns a Nissan LEAF) and the importance of sustainable transportation.

Barett Otani, the County Deputy Director presented the association with a letter of appreciation from the Mayor’s office. He also recorded a video that was subsequently broadcasted on KTA’s Living In Paradise (it’s about halfway into their October segment).

We had good traffic throughout the event. Many guests were interested in getting an electric car and several were already electric car owners who wanted to join our association.

Special thanks to the National Drive Electric Week organizers, The Home Depot (including Fati Yamasaki, store manager, and her staff), Ulupono Initiative, Heather Kimball, Russell Ruderman, Barett Otani, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, and BIEVA volunteers for making our event possible.

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Additional images and videos of our Hilo event can be found here.

National Drive Electric Week 2019 is already being planned. Next year’s events will be held during the week of September 14-22. We look forward to seeing you there.

-BIEVA

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(Original Post)

National Drive Electric Week is September 8-16, 2018!

The Big Island Electric Vehicle Association will be hosting two events to get people charged up about the advantages of electric vehicles over gas cars and highlight their clean-air and cost-saving benefits. Our events are among more than 280 across the country and around the world dedicated to increasing the adoption of sustainable transportation. Many of our local electric car owners will bring their vehicles to share with the public. They will also be available to answer questions about purchase and ownership experiences. If you’re considering the purchase of an electric car, join us and learn from owners.

What you can expect:

We will have a display of electric vehicles, including the Nissan LEAF; Kia Soul EV; Chevy Bolt and Volt; Tesla Model 3, Model X, and Model S; BMW i3, Mitsubishi i-MiEV; VW Golf EV; and BYD.

Test drives and rides may be offered by some dealers or owners who will be in attendance.

We will have presentations and displays that are relevant to electric cars and general sustainability:

HELCO will be available to discuss their Fast Charging stations and electric charging plans.

Members of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby will be on hand to share information about Carbon Fee and Dividend, an innovative climate solution proposal that is gaining momentum.

Solar energy experts will also be on hand to address questions about sizing solar power systems so that you can power your car with sunshine.

The Big Island Electric Vehicle Association is organizing Hawaii Island’s Drive Electric Week events, with support from local sponsors Ulupono Initiative, The Home Depot, Waimea Center, and KTA Superstores. Plug In America, the Sierra Club and the Electric Auto Association are the national organizers. The Nissan LEAF® is the exclusive national automotive sponsor.

 For a complete list of National Drive Electric Week events, visit: driveelectricweek.org