To celebrate National Drive Electric Week, Forth is bringing its EV Mobile Showcase throughout Oregon to conduct outreach, share information and host ride and drives to help increase understanding and familiarity with electric transportation. We offer free electric vehicle test drives and give people the opportunity to get behind the wheel of an EV. We also bring along E-scooters and bikes to provide a number of clean transportation options for people to experience. 

We use the Mobile Showcase to bring electric transportation technology to rural and traditionally underserved communities. The showcase features an interactive interior that serves as an interactive education space with information on EVs, charging, availability, trip-planning, micromobility and more. Staffed by Forth professionals, the showcase also provides information on rebates, vehicle types, and a range of electric mobility options. 

We work with other organizations to plan out Ride and Drives and to bring more awareness about electric transportation. 

We started off National Drive Electric Week as part of the 2022 Green Tour in Bend, OR., partnering with The Environmental Center at the Green Tour starting point. This was where folks began a ten-site tour of real-world solutions that reduce energy use, increase solar production, and contribute to a more livable community in Central Oregon. We provided over 20 test drives and enjoyed talking to everyone about electric transportation! Thanks to Pacific Power for helping make this event possible.

On Saturday, Oct. 1 we will be in Talent, OR. for their Annual Harvest Festival. Come out and experience driving an EV or electric bike!

Particularly in rural communities, EVs are still somewhat unique and uncommon. One significant barrier to adopting electric transportation is a lack of exposure to the vehicles and technology. We use this Mobile Showcase program to overcome that barrier by getting people behind the wheels of the vehicles and letting them find out what the experience is like. Almost nothing is more compelling to changing minds than first hand experience, so that’s what we’re doing with this program. 

Despite compelling reasons to switch to electric transportation (such as reduced maintenance and fuel costs) and the rapid advances in electric vehicle technology over the last ten years, 70% of Americans have still never set foot in an EV. This statistic illustrates the pressing need for increased consumer awareness, test drives of EVs and education around the benefits, available incentives, and rapidly growing options on the market.

Forth wants to make sure everyone gets a chance to be more informed about electric transportation and we hope that you’re able to join us at our future Ride and Drives.