On Saturday, September 21, 2019, the Davis Electric Vehicle Association (DEVA), SacEV, Cool Davis, and the City of Davis hosted a National Drive Electric Week event at the Davis Farmers Market to give residents opportunities to test drive and ask questions about electric vehicles. EVs@theMarket has become a yearly event for Cool Davis due to positive feedback from participants, who reported this year, for example, that it’s a “great opportunity” that “should happen more often.”

The event, now in its third year, is designed to bring “EV” awareness to locals and others through “Ride & Drive” and “Show & Tell” activities. National Drive Electric Week, the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District, and Davis Community Church are also long-term partners.

First experiences with electric vehicles

For many, this event is their first experience driving an electric vehicle. Participants found the event extremely helpful because they were able to get first-hand experience with EVs through the test drives. What a great opportunity to branch out into a new area of sustainability!

Cool Davis participant surveys showed that before the test drive, 50 percent were “very likely” to buy an EV. After the test drive, 83 percent fell into that category. Test drives were effective in moving people to the “very likely” category from the “neutral” or “somewhat likely” category.

In addition, 19 percent of participants’ perception of electric vehicles had improved due to their informative and first-hand experience with the EVs@theMarket event, which encourages future Cool Davis events.

 Image credit: Nayelie Quezada.

Lots of good reasons to enjoy electric vehicles

In response to the question, “What did you like about driving an EV,” posed after at least one test drive, residents gave a variety of answers.  The bar chart shows that a large number enjoyed the quiet ride and the fact that electric vehicles have no direct emissions and consume no gasoline. Close seconds were great performance, style and comfort, feeling “cool,” and experiencing the latest technology.

Cool Davis also received suggestions on how to do better next year. In response, we plan to provide a wider range of affordable models and to focus on purchasing EVs used. Cool Davis also hopes to facilitate more test drives to meet local needs better.

Panorama view of EVs@theMarket 2019. Photo credit: Johan Verink.

More resources

For more information about upcoming Cool Davis events, visit our website events page. Join Cool Davis for future events!

You also have the option to sign up to receive our newsletter for event notifications.

Visit our Drive Electric web page for practical advice, reasons to go electric, and information about tax credits and rebates.

Email deva@cooldavis.org for more information about the Davis Electric Vehicle Association.

Visit @SacEV on social media for regional goings on.