2020 National Drive Electric Week Events

National Drive Electric Week (NDEW) takes place September 26 through October 4, 2020 and is a national initiative to raise awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles, whether they are all-electric or plug-in hybrid. In 2020, most events will be hosted online with some socially distanced in-person events across the country. In addition to the Drive Electric Minnesota campaign launching on September 23, check out the local and online events below:

National Drive Electric Week Kickoff

September 24, 2020 7:00 PM- 8:15 PM CDT

Location: Online

Host: Plug In America, the Sierra Club, and the Electric Auto Association

Please join the National Drive Electric Week national organizers, Plug In America, the Sierra Club, and the Electric Auto Association as they celebrate the 10th year of this national EV campaign. They’ll feature exciting speakers, tools to help you drive electric, prize drawings, Q&A, and much more. Stay tuned as more details are finalized.

To attend, please register here.

Rochester Electric Vehicle Display

September 26, 2020 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM CDT

Location: Rochester Farmers Market, 173 14^th St SW, Rochester, MN 55904

Host: Rochester Electric Vehicles

Join Rochester Electric Vehicles for a chance to check out fully electric vehicles and talk with local owners at the Rochester Farmers Market. Fully electric vehicles will be on display.

The EVs will be set up next to the coffee stand so make sure to grab a cup of joe and a treat and come learn about electric vehicles. The setup encourages social distancing and follows mandated mask orders to keep everyone safe.

At the electric vehicle display you’ll be able to:

• Check out fully electric vehicles Tesla Model 3, Chevrolet Bolt EV, and Nissan LEAF
• Talk with local EV owners about questions and daily life with an electric car
• Get some local beverages, treats, and food at Rochester Farmers Market

EV Speed Dating

September 27, 2020 6:00 PM-7:00 PM CDT

Location: Online

Host: Generation180

Looking for your perfect EV match? Generation180 is here to help! As part of the final registration process, you can select up to three different EV models, and then you’ll be paired with EV owners who can answer your specific questions! Not sure which three electric cars you’d like to learn more about? Take the EV quiz first! Either way, they’ll be sure to answer all your questions.

The quiz can be found here.

To attend, please register here.

By signing up for this event via the National Drive Electric Week portal, you will be sent the specific Zoom link to complete your registration.

Are Electric Pickup Trucks Ready for Work?

September 30, 2020 1:00 PM-2:00 PM CDT

Location: Online

Hosts: Forth and CleanTechnica

Celebrate Drive Electric Week with Forth and CleanTechnica as they profile one of the hottest topics in electric transportation: electric pickup trucks.

Pickups represent 69% of the American car market and represent a crucial part of an all-electric future. As such, there is significant competition for market share. From newcomers like Rivian, Lordstown, Nio, and Nikola to dominant players like Ford, this segment is electrifying rapidly, and the next 2-4 years are poised to significantly transform the market.

This webinar will explore the development of electric pickups, profile the models set to hit the market, and interview many of the companies leading the charge.

Moderator:

• Zachary Shahan, Director, CleanTechnica

Speakers:

• Lea Malloy, Head of Research and Development, Cox Automotive Inc.
• Terry O’Day, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder, In-Charge Energy 
• Chelsea Sexton, Electric Vehicle Advocate

Learn more and register.

Electric Vehicles in Minnesota? You betcha! – Candid conversations with EV owners

October 1, 2020 6:30-7:45PM CDT

Location: Online

Hosts: Shift2Electric, Fresh Energy, and the American Lung Association Minnesota

Electric vehicles (EVs) are cleaner and more affordable than gasoline-powered cars—and they’re fun too! But many Minnesotans wonder how they really work here in the North Star State. Can they handle our extreme winters? Are they a pain to charge? Are there hidden costs to the technology? There’s so much information, where do you even begin?

Join Fresh Energy, Shift2Electric, and American Lung Association MN for a free educational workshop that’s unaffiliated with any automakers. Conversations will cover EV technology, models available, advancements, emissions impacts, the realities of charging, and more. EV owners from around the state will tell you what it is really like to own, charge, and drive electric in Minnesota. You will also have an opportunity to get your questions answered during a Q&A segment.

Promotional partners: Xcel Energy, Minnesota Power, and Austin Utilities.

Panelists:

• Aaron M. Hurd lives in Minnetonka and drives a 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid. “I’m an optimizer by nature. I like the idea of minimizing pollution and energy consumption per distance traveled, so a plug-in hybrid made sense.”
• Janiece Watts lives in Saint Paul and drives a 2012 Nissan Leaf. “I love the heated steering wheel, the surprising roominess, and cruise control!”

Register here.

EV Battery Recycling/Reuse

October 2, 2020 11:00 AM-12:00 PM CDT

Location: Online

Learn how EV batteries are recycled and reused at the end of their life. The hosts will be joined by lithium-ion battery recycling company American Manganese Inc. and ReCell Center, a national collaboration of industry, academia, and national laboratories working together to advance recycling technologies.

Panelist:

• Zarko Meseldzija, CTO, Director of American Manganese Inc.: Zarko Meseldzija has a range of industry experience working with one of Canada’s largest energy companies and an innovation-driven process systems company. Mr. Meseldzija has deep insight into project management of multi-million-dollar projects and hydrometallurgical process development projects. He is also an owner of an independent consulting firm that focuses on the entire lifecycle of the lithium-ion battery supply chain, including the recycling of critical materials. Mr. Meseldzija holds a BSC in Mining Engineering from the University of Alberta and is a registered engineer with the Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia. He is currently completing his Management of Technology MBA from the Beedie School of Business with a focus on sustainability and innovation.

To attend, please register here.

For more events outside of Minnesota, check out the official website for NDEW here.