The power of electricity is rapidly changing the future of transportation in Northwest Arkansas.
That’s why a group of businesses, nonprofits and government agencies created Drive Electric NWA, a weekend event focused on educating the public about the growing importance of electric cars, trucks and e-bikes. Drive Electric NWA will be from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, at Pinnacle Hills Promenade in Rogers, during National Drive Electric Week.
Details of the event continue coming together, but the growing list of sponsors includes the Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association, Arkansas Clean Cities, Canoo, Carroll Electric, Evolve Auto, Flux Car Charging Solutions, Francis Energy, Lewis Automotive Group, Moosejaw, Northwest Arkansas Council, Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission, Nunnally Chevrolet, Ozarks Electric, People for Bikes, SWEPCO and the Tesla Owners Club of Arkansas.
Drive Electric NWA is well-positioned to address all aspects of transportation that come compliments of an electric charge. For example, car dealerships can answer questions about vehicles they’re selling and new models that will become available in the next few months, and electric utility representatives can provide information about how the cost of car charging compares to filling up with gas. Most sponsors will have an educational role at the event.
The event takes place as the presence of electric cars and e-bikes is increasing in Northwest Arkansas. Benton and Washington counties are among the state’s leaders in electric vehicle uptake. Residents of the two counties own 40% of electric vehicle registered in the state.
With new vehicles such as the Ford F-150 Lightning expected to become increasingly available in Arkansas in the coming months and industry experts’ expectation that Volkswagen will overtake Tesla as the world’s top EV producer, there’s every reason to be excited about the future of electric vehicles. While companies such as Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan, BMW and Tesla expect to keep adding to their electric vehicle lineups with new models, car manufacturer Canoo is adding to the excitement about electric transportation in the region.
Canoo, which has opened its Bentonville headquarters, announced last year that it will begin production of its vehicles at sites in eastern Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas.
National Drive Electric Week is a collaboration between Plug In American, the Electric Vehicle Association, the Sierra Club and EvHybridNoire.
Every person who attends the Sept. 24 event can enter a drawing to win a Vvolt Alpha, an e-bike provided by Moosejaw.
RSVP and share the event on Facebook or LinkedIn.
Other organizations interested in sponsoring the event should contact Rob Smith at robsmith@nwacouncil.org.
