In celebration of National Drive Electric Week, running nationwide from September 27 to October 6, 2024, the Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation (IACT) is hosting an exciting electric vehicle (EV) ride-and-drive event for the public in Decatur on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Progress City, 4111 E. 2nd Progress Street (adjacent to Richland Community College). The event will provide attendees with a hands-on opportunity to test drive a wide variety of the latest EVs and learn how to take advantage of financial incentives to purchase them.
Whether you’re an EV enthusiast or just curious about test driving one, this event offers a fun time for all. Leading Central Illinois dealers including Miles Chevrolet will be on hand to display both an all-electric Chevrolet Silverado and an Equinox. Additionally, Bob Brady and Tesla will bring some of their most popular models for attendees to test drive. Serra Champaign will join the festivities and showcase its electric Hummer, demonstrating there are EVs for just about everyone.
“Electric vehicles are transforming transportation with longer driving ranges and faster charging times than ever before,” says Samantha Bingham, Director of IACT. “On behalf of IACT, we are pleased to work with local stakeholders to offer this event as part of our recent statewide expansion efforts. With more than 90 electric vehicle models available for sale right now, several offering more than 300 miles of range, educational events like this one help daily commuters and longer-distance travelers alike make informed decisions about shifting to EVs.” EVs are fun to drive and provide many other benefits – they have instant torque, creating lightning-quick acceleration, and provide a quiet and smooth driving experience. Fuel costs can save a driver of an all-electric vehicle up to $0.27 per mile as well as reduced annual maintenance costs.
Charging stations are being planned around Macon County with traditional gasoline and diesel retailers adding fast chargers at their locations. Incentives are available to install your own home chargers, which can completely recharge your EV overnight.
Illinois is one of the best and most popular states to own an EV. The State has the sixth-highest electric vehicle registration in the country at 99,573 (last updated September 2024), and is rapidly becoming a hub for EV innovation, thanks to initiatives such as Governor Pritzker’s Reimagining Electric Vehicles (REV) Illinois Act and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). These programs are helping attract companies and create jobs in the EV and renewable energy sectors. Other recent investments include the Manufacturing Training Academies and an EV Innovation Center in Decatur, ensuring that Illinois and Macon County are at the forefront of the clean transportation revolution.
Join the movement towards cleaner transportation at the EV Ride and Drive Event! Register today or sign up to volunteer. For more information, contact: Marcy@il-act.org
About the Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation (IACT)
IACT is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting cleaner transportation options and healthier air in Illinois. As a U.S. Department of Energy-designated coalition in the Clean Cities and Communities partnership, IACT is committed to advancing cleaner, healthier air for all Illinois residents.
PR Contact
Whitney Wright
Digital Marketing Consultant
Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation
whitney@il-act.org