Electric vehicle owners to converge on Levis Commons

Owners of electric vehicles will gather Sept. 26 for the seventh annual National Drive Electric Week event at the Town Center at Levis Commons in Perrysburg.
Michael Hall, event organizer and president of the Electric Auto Association of Northwest Ohio, said the event is held to inform the public about the changing technology and markets for the vehicles.
“This organization has partnered with Clean Fuels Ohio and Plug In America to create awareness and educate the public of the availability and benefits of driving hybrid and electric vehicles as well as the growing availability of plug-in models,” he said.
National Drive Electric Week is held throughout the country in September. Organizers expect thousands of vehicles will be displayed in hundreds of cities between Sept. 26 and Oct. 4.
Hall said the local event will feature a scholarship fundraiser for high school students entering the field of advanced automotive technologies.
“Today’s hybrid and electric vehicles are very sophisticated, and the industry needs highly-trained technicians,” he said, adding the goal is to raise money through a raffle during the event and on the group’s Facebook page.
"The timing is right for this event. We have a very nice display of Chevrolet, Ford, Nissan and Tesla vehicles all because of the generosity of the vehicle owners," Hall said.
Visitors are encouraged to speak with the owners and discuss why they chose to purchase alternative-fuel vehicles. There will be no sales personnel or pressure to buy or lease.
Hall noted that the cost-per-mile of driving an all-electric vehicle averages about three cents per mile as compared to a gasoline vehicle that can exceed four times the cost per mile to operate and the purchase prices are competitive.
"Electric propulsion is a very efficient system with a fraction of the moving parts and complexity of a gasoline or diesel vehicle. These vehicles can serve the everyday needs of 80 percent of the American drivers. The variety of vehicles is growing fast, and every major manufacturer will be introducing plug-in vehicles over the next few years," he said.
Patrons and participants will be asked to follow state and local ordinances regarding current pandemic conditions. Sanitizer, wipes, and masks made in the USA will be supplied
Hours are noon to 5 p.m. and the event will be held rain or shine.