Media Advisory: Atlanta Celebrates Drive Electric Week at Avalon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2016
Contact: Anne Blair, anne@cleanenergy.org, 404-849-7929
Atlanta, Ga. – Public officials, business leaders, the electric vehicle industry and environmental groups will join together to highlight the benefits of electric vehicles (EV) in celebration of National Drive Electric Week on September 10, 2016. Atlanta’s premier EV event, held this year at a new location, Avalon in Alpharetta, will bring EV drivers and enthusiasts together to highlight the fun, clean-air benefits, and cost-savings of electric cars.
The event is part of the sixth annual National Drive Electric Week, a weeklong celebration of the benefits of electric vehicles. Attendees will have the opportunity to check out recent EV models and talk with current owners, and learn more about going electric.
Georgia has been a national leader in growing the number of EVs on the road. They help reduce emissions, save drivers money and enhance local economic development. Nationally, 2016 is shaping up to be the best year yet for EV sales with 93,197 vehicles sold — a 29 percent increase in year to date sales from 2015.
WHAT: A social and press event will begin at 9:00 am in the Avalon Plaza followed by a display of more than 40 electric vehicles (EV) on Avalon Boulevard between 10:00am-3:00pm.
SPEAKERS:
Mayor David Belle Isle, Mayor of Alpharetta
Stephanie Stuckey Benfield, Director of Sustainability, City of Atlanta
Jeff Petrea, Metro North Region Area Manager, Georgia Power Company
Mayor Ted Terry, Mayor of Clarkston and Director, Sierra Club – Georgia Chapter
Anne Blair, Director of Clean Fuels, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy – Moderator
Representatives from Hannah Solar, Metro Plug-In, EV Club of the South, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Clean Cities-Georgia, Sierra Club-Georgia Chapter will also be on hand to answer questions about EVs and charging around the state.
WHEN: Saturday, September 10, 2016 9 am – 3 pm ET
WHERE: Avalon Plaza and Boulevard, 2200 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta, GA 30009
VISUALS: 50 EVs and their owners (including BMW, Nissan, Tesla, Nissan LEAF, Chevrolet; and more on display). EV owners will be available for interviews. Please contact Anne Blair to schedule EV owner interviews (404-849-7929).
For a complete list of National Drive Electric Week events, visit: https://driveelectricweek.org/ and follow #NDEW2016 on social media.
For more information about Atlanta Drive Electric Week, visit: www.atlantadew.com
###
About Plug In America: Plug In America, a San Francisco-based national nonprofit organization, works to accelerate the shift to plug-in vehicles powered by clean, affordable, domestic electricity to reduce our nation’s dependence on petroleum and improve the global environment. The organization conceived National Drive Electric Week and has advanced workplace charging by pioneering regular ride-and-drive events at such leading corporations as Google, Mattel and Paramount Pictures. It developed the world’s largest, most dedicated network of plug-in vehicle owners and drivers, many of whom have driven EVs for well over a decade. We drive electric. You can, too. www.pluginamerica.org.
About the Electric Auto Association: The Electric Auto Association, formed in 1967, is a nonprofit educational organization with 75 chapters worldwide that promotes the advancement and widespread adoption of electric vehicles. www.electricauto.org.
About Georgia Power: Georgia Power is committed to assisting customers with their EV energy needs and advancing Georgia as an EV-friendly state. In addition to EV charger rebates and the development of public charging infrastructure, the company is conducting an ongoing public education campaign and offers a special rate for EV customers. The company also recently rolled out dozens of plug-in electric hybrid vehicles as part of its statewide fleet. To learn more about driving electric with Georgia Power, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com/EV.
About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization with more than 2.4 million members and supporters and chapters in all 50 states. The Sierra Club’s national electric vehicles initiative advocates for a switch to EVs as one important way to reduce emissions and cut oil consumption. Sierra Club is proud to have been one of the three national groups organizing National Drive Electric Week since its inception in 2011. www.sierraclub.org/EVGuide.
About Southern Alliance for Clean Energy: Founded in 1985, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is a nonprofit organization that promotes responsible energy choices that work to address the impacts of global climate change and ensure clean, safe, and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. Learn more at www.cleanenergy.org
About EV Club of the South: The EV Club Of The South is for EV drivers, their families and others interested in electric vehicles and is a chapter of the EAA Electric Auto Association. Our purpose is to be the voice of our members, promote the successful growth of the electric vehicle in the United States and the world, act as a network for information both to and from the manufacturers and retailers of electric vehicles, and to encourage the development of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Learn more at www.evclubofthesouth.org
About Clean Cities-Georgia. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Clean Cities program advances the nation’s economic, environmental, and energy security by supporting local actions to cut petroleum use in transportation. Part of DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office, Clean Cities has saved more than 7.5 billion gallons of petroleum since its inception in 1993. Nearly 100 local coalitions serve as the foundation of the Clean Cities program by working to cut petroleum use in communities across the country. Clean Cities coalitions are comprised of businesses, fuel providers, vehicle fleets, state and local government agencies, and community organizations. Each coalition is led by an on-the-ground Clean Cities coordinator, who tailors projects and activities to capitalize on the unique opportunities in their communities. Nationwide, nearly 15,000 stakeholders participate in Clean Cities coalitions, and through their collective efforts they are transforming local and regional transportation markets and contributing to Clean Cities’ goals and accomplishments. Learn more at www.cleancitiesgeorgia.org