When it came time to choose a college major and subsequent career path, I felt that the only choice for me was to work on sustainability solutions. I didn’t want to work in an industry that would eventually be disrupted by climate change; I wanted to work on solutions that would anticipate and guide massive societal change. I wanted to explain the science to the general public in a language they could understand, which would inspire shifts in beliefs and habits like many other movements have. On a practical level, I also believed that jobs in this field would be stable and the opportunities would only grow over time. When I told my parents’ friends about my career plans, they would often respond by saying something like, “We need more people like you in the world!”

I eventually found myself researching the same new technology that had fascinated me many years ago, when I started as a policy research associate at Plug In America this year. Writing reports and blogs for the biggest audience my work has ever had has been truly exhilarating. For the first time, I am realizing my dream of amplifying solutions and helping to build the best possible future for people and the planet.

Now, one of Plug In America’s largest funding sources, a nationwide EV education program funded by the Department of Energy, is at risk. I am very worried about the future of our educational work, and I cannot stay silent while this program is threatened. EV education is needed more than ever to combat misinformation and disinformation and equip the ever-expanding demographic of EV drivers with the tools they need to purchase, charge, and enjoy their dream cars. 

A guide to state policies for installing chargers at home. A deep dive into the facts about vehicle fires. An exploration of affordable and convenient charging options. These are just a few of the educational materials that I have worked on in my time at Plug In America. Our work is read by EV drivers, cited in news articles, and shared within the broader EV community. We cannot afford to lose funding for these vital sources of factual, thoroughly researched information. We also cannot afford to lose any of the talented professionals who produce this work with passion, optimism, and determination every day.

Building the future we want to see starts today. We won’t have the most advanced vehicles, pollution-free air, and a healthy climate unless we work towards our goals now. Today’s novel educational campaigns will be tomorrow’s regular dinner-table conversations. Our grant funding, along with other projects that are threatened by the Department of Energy, is a worthwhile investment in our future. The EV movement might be forcibly slowed down, but it cannot be stopped. Drivers will continue to choose EVs wherever they are available, and Plug In America needs to be there to educate and empower them to embrace the future fearlessly.  

Jess Senger is a policy research associate at Plug In America and a recent graduate of the University of Chicago. 

Want to help? Consider a financial donation while we fight for our programs. Any amount helps.

The post From a recent college grad: Funding a better future is always worth it appeared first on Plug In America.

“It’s a dream come true. Not all multiyear proposals are funded, much less ones you worked on from the start,” Lindsey said.

As part of her vision, Plug In America promised to interview 10 EV drivers on camera, five in English and five in Spanish, and share their stories with the rest of the country in a digital advertising campaign. She envisioned finding EV drivers from all walks of life to make sure the campaign was representative of the country.

To fulfill the project’s goals, Lindsey created a new role in the communications department for someone who specialized in video content and found the perfect candidate to fill the position. She also hired a new team member to boost the organization’s social media activity and help make the nationwide education efforts possible.

In October, the DOE sent a termination letter canceling approximately $3 million of promised funding about one year into the three-year campaign. Alongside the concerns about the organization’s future and her staff, Lindsey is grieving the potential loss of what was to come.

“It’s devastating and maddening to have this incredible, beautiful, impactful project stopped suddenly for no apparent reason,” Lindsey said. “I’m so proud of my team and the work we’ve done, and it’s important work. People’s lives are on the line if we as a country don’t transition fast enough to electric vehicles. With more EVs on the road, air quality improves, pollution-related illnesses decrease, and we’re slowing climate change, which means fewer extreme weather events.”

The Plug In America communications team has filmed three EV driver stories so far: a family of seven on a homestead in Texas, a woman with her “sexy mom car” in Georgia, and a young outdoor enthusiast in Washington who road trips and camps in his EV. The team has already had to stop online advertising campaigns promoting the videos despite the campaign’s strong performance, which now limits the number of people these videos can reach.

If Plug In America loses the DOE funding permanently and can’t find other funding quickly, the organization won’t have the resources to document these important stories, much less amplify them, nor will the nonprofit be able to save the jobs that this project has created. 

“EVs improve lives, and we want to make sure everyone has a chance to hear that,” Lindsey said. “We’ve been working hard to find people who use their EVs in all sorts of ways, represent rural and urban areas, different vehicle types, renters and homeowners. It’s important that as many people as possible hear that EVs are for everyone.” 

Want to help? Consider a financial donation while we fight to have our funding restored. Any amount helps.

The post A dream campaign cut short: How funding cuts are silencing EV driver stories appeared first on Plug In America.

The simple answer is that EV and gas vehicle fires are fundamentally different, but EV fires are very rare. If you’re comfortable accepting the fire risk of gas cars, you don’t need to lose sleep about EV fires. Since EVs are a relatively new technology on a larger scale, they also continue to become safer. Vehicle and battery manufacturers, fire departments, and charging providers are all working to make EVs even safer, so there is very little that EV drivers need to worry about. However, knowing the facts about EV fires can be helpful for educating others, making an informed purchase or lease decision, and understanding the risks of driving any vehicle. 

Studies show EVs are much less likely to catch fire than gas vehicles.

One of the most comprehensive and long-term studies of EV fire likelihood comes from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency. Sweden is one of the world’s top EV adopters, with battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles making up over 58% of new registrations in 2024. 

Sweden has collected EV and hybrid vehicle fire statistics from 2018 to 2024. 

In an archived report from 2022, the agency also reported the total number of vehicles that catch fire each year, regardless of fuel type. The chart below shows calculations for the number of fires per 100,000 vehicles in 2022 for EVs and hybrids, combustion vehicles (mainly gas cars), and all passenger cars. According to this data, combustion vehicles are more than 20 times more likely to catch fire than electric and hybrid cars. 

Source: MSB of Sweden, 2023         

Tesla uses a different metric when reporting the fire likelihood of their vehicles. Tesla stated in a report that between 2012 and 2023, approximately one Tesla electric vehicle fire event occurred for every 130 million miles traveled. During the same period, one vehicle fire of any fuel type occurred in the U.S. for every 17 million miles traveled, according to data from the National Fire Protection Association. Tesla reports that their vehicles catch fire about 7 times less frequently than the national average. 

It is worth looking into the causes of vehicle fires in each study. Arson and fire spreading from another structure cause many vehicle fires, which have nothing to do with EV batteries. For example, a recent study from Poland found that 13% of battery electric vehicle fires in the first half of 2025 were caused by arson or a fire transfer. The Swedish study does not include arson fires in its EV fire compilation, but arson fires are included in the total number of vehicle fires of all fuel types. Tesla’s report includes vehicle fires started from an external fire, such as wildfires, arson, and structure fires. The National Fire Protection Association does not report fires that involve a structure. These differences in reporting may cause some inconsistencies in the total reported number of fires. 

A significant number of fires have an unknown cause in most vehicle fire studies, since these studies often rely on anecdotal reports from first responders who might not know the cause of the fire. The most common known causes of EV fires include collision or road debris, a battery fault, and overheating, according to a global study by EV FireSafe. Gas vehicle fires have many of the same causes, including battery faults or electrical issues, which caused 656 fossil-powered passenger car fires in Sweden from 2018 to 2022. 

Submersion in saltwater caused some of the EV fires in these studies, but these incidents are rare. Research from the Idaho National Laboratory found that less than one percent of EVs impacted by Hurricane Ian in 2022 caught fire, and advancements in battery pack designs may have helped many vehicles mitigate flood damage and fire risks. Drivers’ preventative measures, such as moving cars to higher ground and having them serviced immediately after a known flood event, can significantly reduce the risk of battery corrosion. 

At the moment, there are not enough broad and long-term studies of vehicle fires to make a definitive statement about the likelihood and causes of EV fires, although all credible studies claim that EV fires are not more likely than gas vehicle fires. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA, part of FEMA) will be switching to a new voluntary fire incident reporting system called NERIS in 2026, which will provide more information about EV fire incidents than the old system. Plug In America will update this page as better EV fire data becomes available. 

EVs and gas cars burn differently, which gives EVs some advantages.

EV battery fires start through a process called thermal runaway. Each battery contains individual cells that form larger modules. When there is a disturbance to one cell, which could be caused by a collision, overheating, or overcharging, the cell short-circuits and generates more heat, which spreads to other cells, leading to a self-sustaining chemical reaction. The battery cells can then ignite one by one. In contrast, all of a gas vehicle’s fuel is concentrated in one tank, which means that all of this fuel can catch on fire immediately, as shown in a 2023 study. 

This period between battery cell failure and vehicle ignition can give EV drivers and passengers at least 5 minutes to exit the vehicle before the battery pack fully ignites, according to a 2021 study. In vehicles compliant with current regulations, an alarm will go off once the first cell failure is detected. EV FireSafe, a research agency supported by the Australian government, studied 511 EV battery fires globally from 2010 to 2024 and found that “in all [fire] incidents where drivers & passengers were not injured in a collision, they were able to exit the vehicle before it became fully involved in fire.” Manufacturers are working to design batteries that can delay ignition even longer, which would give trapped or injured passengers even more time to exit the vehicle. Those extra five or more minutes can be life-saving for drivers and passengers. 

EV charging is safe, and fire incidents while charging are rare.

While some EV fires have started while a vehicle was charging, these fires are largely preventable through responsible maintenance and engineering. In their study, EV FireSafe found that fire incidents while charging were mainly caused by EVs that were previously damaged from a collision, saltwater submersion, battery fault, or an external fire. Damage from these scenarios is a leading cause of EV fires overall. The report notes that “in normally operated road-registered EVs, it is electrically impossible for the battery to be overcharged so it catches fire while using an electrically compliant unit that has been installed to standard by a qualified person.” 

This means that as long as both EVs and charging stations are made, installed, and operated correctly, fire incidents while charging are nearly impossible. Properly installed charging stations pose no threat to fire safety on their own. Drivers should get their cars inspected after a collision or submersion incident, monitor battery recalls, and only use trusted public charging stations and power adapters when needed to reduce their risk. An extension cord should never be used with an EV. Public charging is essential for EV adoption and visibility, and fire safety concerns do not need to disrupt this progress. 

Engineering and innovation are continuing to advance EV fire safety and fire response. 

Unlike many older gas cars on the road, EVs are equipped with advanced safety features, which only improve over time. Technologies, including fireproof and insulating layers, onboard fire extinguishing systems, electrical current control, and intelligent alarm systems, are being developed by manufacturers to prevent, detect, and extinguish battery fires. When battery manufacturers, vehicle manufacturers, charging providers, and fire departments work together to advance EV fire safety, fire incidents will be even rarer and EVs will continue to rank among the safest vehicles. 

Fire departments play a key role by responding to and containing EV fires. When EVs were first introduced, fire departments would attempt to extinguish battery fires like gas vehicle fires by spraying water on top of the vehicle. Since battery EV fires start with the battery compartment underneath the vehicle, this method does not extinguish the source of the fire and takes a very long time and a lot of water to completely cool the car down. Firefighters are now using different fire suppression methods, such as a specialized fire hose nozzle or fire blankets, to fight EV fires at the source. 

It is important for first responders to verify if the vehicle on fire is an EV and to use effective fire suppression methods to minimize damage and injury. Luckily, a wealth of resources is available to first and second responders (which include towing and salvage companies), many of which are listed here by the Alternative Fuels Data Center. Departments should consider multiple fire suppression methods recommended in their training and choose the ones that best fit their community’s needs.

Fire departments should also try to collect data about vehicle fires and report it to the U.S. Fire Administration. Doing so will significantly improve the data quality available in the U.S. There are also new technologies being developed, such as this specialized nozzle invented by a firefighter from Naperville, Illinois. EV fires require a different approach, but with the proper training and equipment, emergency responders can be prepared for any scenario with confidence. 

EV fires are rare and less likely than gas vehicle fires 

Gas vehicles are all around us, and they are still the main contributors to around 200,000 fires and 500 fire deaths in the US per year (NFPA). Instead of making EVs a scapegoat, manufacturers, fire departments, and other stakeholders can work to improve fire safety for all vehicles, including EVs. Innovative battery engineering, preventative measures, and fire extinguishing technologies will greatly reduce the already small number of EV fires. If you value safety in a vehicle, EVs are the way to go.

The post The facts about EV fire safety appeared first on Plug In America.

Event 1: Drive Electric, Live Electric, Vote for the Sun! in Whittier, CA
Date: September 20, 2025
Event Organizer: Zan Dubin

Event 2: EV Showcase at the Port of Hueneme Banana Festival in Port Hueneme, CA
Date: September 27, 2025
Event Organizer/Organization: Kent Bullard/EV Advocates of Ventura County

Event 3: EV Test Drives in Moreno Valley, CA
Date: September 27, 2025
Event Organizer/Organization: Rosa Munoz/Riverside Community College District 

Event 4: Ventura County EV Showcase in Ventura, CA
Date: October 5, 2025
Event Organizer/Organization: Kent Bullard/EV Advocates of Ventura County

Thank you for supporting National Drive Electric Month!

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The post National Drive Electric Month 2025 SCE Grant Recipient Announcement appeared first on Plug In America.

Our support team is a trusted, go-to resource for answering the important questions people have before and after acquiring an electric vehicle. Built on years of experience helping EV drivers and advocating for clean transportation, the support program connects consumers with real experts who offer personalized, up-to-date guidance on EV ownership. Whether you’re figuring out where to find rebates and incentives, which charger to buy, how to prep your home for installation, or what to expect with battery range, Plug In America’s EV support ensures EV drivers are supported every step of the way. Assistance is available through a live toll-free phone number and email, making it easy to get reliable, one-on-one help when you need it.

Since the program launched in 2019, we’ve responded to more than 5,000 inquiries from EV drivers and potential EV drivers across the country. And the response has been incredibly positive – over 90 % of consumers who filled out a satisfaction survey said they were happy with the support they received. 

We’ve heard from people who said, “I got the information I needed to be able to go further and buy a used EV,” and “Plug In America is a phenomenal resource.” Others shared how impressed they were with our team’s quick replies and in-depth knowledge, saying the support was “factual,” “quick,” and “went above and beyond.” One representative was even described as having “the best listening skills, knowledge, and problem-solving skills that I have seen in a company as a customer/client.” We’re proud of the difference this program is making, and excited to keep helping more people on their EV journey.

Contact us
support@pluginamerica.org
1-877-EV-HELP-1 (1-877-384-3571)

If you’re curious about switching to an EV, or already have one and just need a little guidance, Plug In America’s EV Support Program is here to help. Our team of EV experts is ready to provide the answers you need to make confident decisions and get the most out of your EV experience. You can reach us by email or call our toll-free hotline at (877) EV-HELP-1, available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT. We’re always happy to help you get the most out of driving electric.

The post Plug In America’s EV Support Program: Making Your Switch to Electric Easy  appeared first on Plug In America.

Event 1:  Ventura Plaza Park Earth Day EV Showcase  – Ventura, CA

Date: April 19, 2025

Event Organizer/Organization: Kent Bullard/EV Advocates of Ventura County

Event 2: Thousand Oaks Arbor Day and EV Showcase  – Thousand Oaks, CA

Date: April 19, 2025

Event Organizer/Organization: Kent Bullard/EV Advocates of Ventura County

Thank you for supporting Drive Electric Earth Month!

Are you interested in receiving funding for a future EV-focused event in Southern California? We anticipate providing grants for National Drive Electric Month (NDEM) 2025 events in Southern California Edison International territory. Newly formed events are encouraged to apply. To receive notice of when applications open, please fill out the form below, select the ‘monthly general’ newsletter, and be sure to enter your zip code!

The post Edison International DEEM 2025 Grant Recipient Announcement appeared first on Plug In America.

SDG&E is proud to take part in the EVAL certification for electric vehicle (EV) adoption. The utility aims to facilitate California’s transition to zero-emission vehicles by fostering a cleaner, more sustainable transportation system. This initiative involves collaboration with key stakeholders and ambitious efforts to develop comprehensive clean transportation infrastructure throughout the San Diego region.

SDG&E employees now own over 1,000 personal EVs, a number that continues to grow thanks to educational initiatives like at-work events and their EV University employee club. The company is expanding EV infrastructure by offering upgraded charging stations at most of their work locations to support both their employees and fleet.  Additionally, two internal teams at SDG&E, Clean Transportation and EV Sustainability, are dedicated to supporting and educating employees and community partners on efforts toward electrification and sustainability.

SDG&E’s Clean Transportation team aims to facilitate the adoption of EVs across the utility’s service territory. With dedicated employees focusing on customer experience, transformative initiatives, data analytics, and regulatory business development, SDG&E is making electric driving enjoyable, affordable, and convenient.

SDG&E employees stand proudly next to their EVs. The utility is expanding EV infrastructure by offering upgraded charging stations at most of their work locations to support both their employees and fleet

To enhance awareness and promote the use of electrification, this team develops, adopts, and implements various programs and incentives. They offer opportunities such as:

1. Financial incentives for post-purchase and leases of used or pre-owned, light-duty EVs.
2. Support for businesses to help them cost effectively design and install charging infrastructure for medium and heavy-duty EV fleets, as well as support for property managers, schools and municipalities interested in electrification.
3. EV Day In the Community events, where community members and employees can test drive and learn about various electric vehicles available on the market.
4. EV University, an employee-led group that educates, promotes, and answers questions related to electrification and all things EV. Employees are encouraged to provide feedback and inquire about different EV opportunities that exist on and off work sites.

SDG&E’s Fleet Sustainability Team is committed to transitioning their own fleet vehicles to zero emissions while enhancing EV infrastructure for both fleet operations and at-work charging. They have a dedicated group of EV technicians focused on the maintenance and installation of charging stations throughout their service territory. Currently, this team is upgrading charging infrastructure across all company facilities in San Diego to support an anticipated fleet of 1,700 light-, medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles.

To ensure the company is well-prepared for the increasing adoption of electric vehicles, the Fleet Sustainability Team is also focusing on employee EV policies and change management within all internal organizations to promote and prepare for EV adoption and installations. 

SDG&E’s Fleet Sustainability Team is committed to transitioning their own fleet vehicles to zero emissions while enhancing EV infrastructure for both fleet operations and at-work charging.

SDG&E’s Commitment to Electrification: A Shared Mission for a Sustainable Future 

SDG&E is dedicated to engaging with the community to foster awareness and enthusiasm around electric vehicles. The company aims to drive sustainable growth and ensure that advancements in electrification benefit not only their employees but also the communities they serve. The company’s objective is to pave the way for sustainability and innovation, creating a cleaner, more efficient future for generations to come.

While significant progress has been made in adopting EVs, the journey is far from over for SDG&E. The field of electrification is constantly evolving and expanding, and SDG&E’s teams are committed to staying up to date with the latest advancements. This dedication ensures that SDG&E continues to improve and learn about new technologies and practices. 

Curious about EVAL?

Learn more about EVAL certification and its incredible workplace and employee benefits today. If you have any questions about the EVAL program, email info@pluginamerica.org.

The post San Diego Gas & Electric® Going Green: Leading with EV Perks for their Employees appeared first on Plug In America.

Research shows that U.S. auto facilities producing electric vehicles are requiring more jobs and a larger workforce than traditional gas vehicle facilities. 

What’s more, along with all of the new EV jobs and facilities announced in the U.S. auto supply chain, there are other jobs necessary to support the transition, including jobs to conduct the design, creation, and maintenance of a nationwide charging network. Those jobs for charging network buildout and ongoing maintenance include engineers, software developers, planners, electricians, construction workers, and more. 

More jobs are a benefit of a domestic, circular battery supply chain

The buzz around the EV transition and the creation of batteries and vehicles here in the U.S. is undeniable. One currently overlooked part of the supply chain, brimming with opportunity, occurs at an EV battery’s end of life.

To support a domestic supply of minerals used to manufacture batteries, the IRA includes domestic sourcing requirements for vehicles to qualify for the federal EV tax credit for consumers. This domestic sourcing requirement can be satisfied if the minerals are recycled in the U.S. after their initial use. The IRA automatically qualifies EV battery materials recycled in the U.S. as American-made, regardless of their place of origin.

As a result, there has been a push to dramatically expand recycling in the U.S. to take advantage of federal incentives, strengthen our domestic supply chains, and meet mineral demand for the EV transition. Today’s EV battery supply chain is geographically concentrated in just a few locations far apart from each other. If any disruption is experienced in the few places where battery mining, refining, processing, or assembly happens, the entire supply chain is impacted.

To produce a battery, the minerals that make it up must travel an average of 50,000 miles, which leaves the supply chain vulnerable and spread out. A domestic, circular battery economy, where EV batteries are repaired and reused, repurposed, or recycled at their end-of-life, can help the global supply chain withstand these disruptions by reducing our need for mining and keeping the materials that we have mined in use. Ensuring this activity happens right here at home means more jobs in the U.S. 

From 2022 to 2024, $7.8 billion in investments flooded into battery recycling, creating thousands of new jobs, including more than 1,500 in Nevada, 1,800 in South Carolina, and almost 300 in Georgia.

A circular economy will need the support of industry and workers. Promoting a circular battery economy includes extending the useful lifetime of electric vehicles through battery repair, recycling, reuse, and repurposing. After their lifetime powering a vehicle, EV batteries typically retain around 80 percent of their original capacity, making them an excellent fit for second-life applications where they can be remanufactured and reused directly in another EV application, such as in a vehicle requiring shorter travel distances. Another option is to repurpose batteries for off-road stationary energy storage applications. We will need infrastructure and people to mobilize these circular economy solutions. 

Racing forward to more jobs 

EV investment and job growth are currently happening across the U.S. and are concentrated in states like Georgia, Michigan, Tennessee, Indiana, Kentucky, Nevada, Ohio, Alabama, Arizona, Kansas, and Texas. Moving forward, EV and battery manufacturing could generate up to 931,000 additional jobs in the broader economy. 

Already, several facilities have popped up across the country to support domestic manufacturing and a circular battery economy:

• Georgia boasts production of EVs from legacy manufacturers like Hyundai and will be home to EV-specific manufacturers like Rivian. 
• In Oklahoma, ATC Drivetrain works to expand battery remanufacturing to support the industry’s global migration to electrification. ATC Drivetrain is also engaged in battery reuse and recycling. 
• IT eCycling Solutions is an end-of-life battery processor located in Tennessee. It assesses used batteries and recycles them for raw materials or repurposes them.
• Michigan-based auto manufacturers, including GM and Ford, are ramping up EV production in the state and across many of their other facilities. 
• Li-Cycle is a lithium-ion battery resource recovery company with facilities in Arizona and New York. 
• GlobalTech Environmental is located in Wisconsin, and along with recycling, the company offers remanufacturing for battery reuse.
• In North Carolina, Cirba Solutions works to collect batteries at their end-of-lives to prevent them from ending up in landfills and to tee them up circular economy pathways. 

U.S. EV and battery manufacturing continues to race forward, driven by groundbreaking federal policies that have accelerated economic investment and job creation. Circular economy solutions like repair, reuse, repurposing, and recycling should increase as the EV industry grows to keep valuable materials in use in the U.S. By ramping up investment in a circular economy across the country, we can ensure a domestic supply of minerals necessary for EV batteries, which decreases both our dependence on other countries for minerals and the need for mining. A circular economy can create even more jobs here in the United States. 

The post More EVs in the U.S. equals more jobs in the U.S. appeared first on Plug In America.

With more than 100 models now commercially available, these events showcase the wide variety of options on the market. This nationwide celebration raises awareness of the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles while providing a space for people to connect over their shared love of this innovative technology. 

Co-founders of the Mustang Mach-E Vlog, Patrick Anderson and Liv Leigh, have attended these events since 2021 where they found an outlet for their love for the industry. This year, their passion for this annual celebration has led to a road trip schedule that includes making stops at multiple NDEW events along the East Coast. With at least three stops on their list, including one of this year’s Drive Electric Award recipients Schenectady, NY, they’re making these gatherings a priority on their adventure. 

“The main reason we love going to these events is because they are a great way to share our enthusiasm with people that are interested in EVs but haven’t owned one yet,” shared Patrick. “For anyone that doesn’t own an electric car, this is a rare opportunity to get past any marketing hype and learn more.”   

Patrick Anderson and Liv Leigh, co-founders of Mach-E Vlog

From dealing with EVs in colder weather to planning road trip charge stops, over 5,000 EV owners across the country share their experiences with their vehicles while showcasing them to the general public. That means that, whether you’re in the market for a new EV, have doubts about them, or want to see some of the latest models, this is the perfect forum to ask questions and compare cars from different companies in one place.  

So, while you might not be able to attend three events like Patrick and Liv, attending one brings incredible value whether you’ve found your own community or already own an EV. “For other EV owners, we highly recommend giving it a try. You’ll connect with other people that share your enthusiasm […] and, even if you know a lot, you might be able to learn from others as well,” says Patrick. 

Your key takeaway? There’s something for everyone at NDEW events. Whether you opt for a virtual or in-person experience, find an event (or several) near you and join us for this annual celebration of EVs. 

The post Drive Electric Week events are happening near you—Here’s what you need to know appeared first on Plug In America.

Event 1: EV EXPO – San Jacinto, California
Date: September 28, 2024
Event Organizer/Organization: Garth Newberry

Event 2: Electric Vehicle Expo – Hemet, CA.
Date: October 5, 2024
Event Organizer/Organization: James Rapp/Inland Empire EVA

Event 3: The Port of Hueneme Banana Festival – Port Hueneme, CA
Date: September 28, 2024
Event Organizer/Organization: Kent Bullard/EV Advocates of Ventura County

Event 4: CSU Channel Islands Electric Vehicle Showcase and Clean Air Day Fair – Camarillo, CA
Date: October 3, 2024
Event Organizer/Organization: Kent Bullard/EV Advocates of Ventura County

Event 5: Ventura County EV Showcase – Ventura, CA
Date: October 6, 2024
Event Organizer/Organization: Kent Bullard/EV Advocates of Ventura County

Thank you for supporting National Drive Electric Week!

The post Edison International NDEW 2024 Grant Recipient Announcement appeared first on Plug In America.

Electric vehicle drivers are discerning. They spend a great deal of time analyzing and discussing which EVs will give them an efficient, eco-friendly, and enjoyable driving experience.

But they could be forgiven for overlooking a hidden factor that makes a huge difference in whether EV drivers can get the most out of their vehicles – their tires. 

Tires are essential in winter when snow and ice can turn everyday journeys into treacherous ones. Winter tire inventor Nokian Tyres analyzes four ways electric vehicles impact driving, which conveniently spells the acronym “WNTR.”

Weight

Myth: Weight and all-wheel drive are all it takes to make EVs safer in winter.

An EV’s weight can indeed help it gain traction when roads are slick with snow. And when all four tires have power, it can be easier to get the car moving.

But there’s a problem: stopping. That’s when the momentum from an EV’s added bulk needs some assistance. 

You may have heard the adage that four-wheel drive is NOT four-wheel stop. That’s where winter tires come in. They grip slick surfaces and stay nimble in the coldest weather, partnering with all-wheel drive to make electric vehicles more secure in winter.

Noise

Myth: Winter tires are noisy.

Electric vehicle drivers love the quiet and comfort their cars and trucks provide. It’s wasteful, then, to pair a silent vehicle with loud tires. That leaves northern drivers in a bind since winter tires’ rubber compounds, tread patterns, and studs can increase road volume.

Fortunately, some tire makers have taken steps to reduce road noise in the winter months. Nokian Tyres employs SilentDrive Technology in its winter products, the Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta R5 EV and Hakkapeliitta 10 EV. The global tiremaker from Finland inserts acoustic foam between the rim and the tire, reducing sound at the frequencies that are most bothersome to drivers.

Temperature

Myth: Winter tires are only needed for snowy and icy roads.

There’s a reason the inventor of the winter tire calls it a “winter tire” and not a “snow tire.” Sure, winter tires are adept at carving through snow and gripping on ice. But in fact, all-season tires aren’t meant to be regularly driven in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius). All-season and summer tires harden like hockey pucks in cold temperatures and lose grip with the road. That increases stopping distance and raises the odds of calamity.

Winter tires are crafted for snow, ice, slush, and cold. They are engineered to stay soft in frigid conditions, making them the safest driving solution in the winter months. 

Range

Myth: Winter tires decrease range.

Every EV driver wants a predictable range, and many become frustrated when mileage per charge decreases in cold weather. Others are reluctant to install winter tires because they think the softer compound leads to a lower range.

In actuality, winter tires’ soft compounds don’t necessarily harm their efficiency. The right rubber can improve range; the Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta R5 is the most energy-efficient winter tire ever made, outpacing many all-season tires in that area. Plus, as we’ve already established, they’re safer in cold weather.

Driving safety is important all year long, but winter is crunch time. If EV drivers remember “WNTR,” they’re more likely to stay safe on the road in the colder months.

The post Myth vs. reality: Why EV drivers should be thinking about ‘WNTR’ appeared first on Plug In America.

We want to let you in on a small secret: You may not know that many EV charging networks have special agreements, called roaming agreements, with one another to provide drivers with more freedom and flexibility. When finalized and operational, these roaming agreements allow you to use one network’s app to interact with another network’s charger. 

Many consumers have already benefited from this capability in other industries, such as withdrawing cash from an ATM regardless of your bank or calling any cell network. 

What does this mean for EV drivers? Plug in, pay, and start charging – using your preferred app. The idea behind these roaming agreements is to give drivers the convenience and flexibility to use whichever app suits their preferences. 

Right now, a few leading charging networks have started setting up these agreements to increase driver freedom and choice. The image below displays some of the current active agreements in North America: 

Left: ChargePoint agreements with Shell Recharge, FLO, BC Hydro, EVgo, EVConnect, Electric Circuit || Right: FLO agreements (which you can see on the FLO app) with BC Hydro, ChargePoint, Electric Circuit, Shell Recharge, eCharge Network

We’re currently seeing the growth of this capability across the market, and our vision for the future is to see comprehensive roaming agreements that cover the entire EV market. Currently, European Union countries offer an example of roaming at scale. In France, a law from 2017 mandates that any public charger must be accessible by direct payment or roaming agreement at the EV driver’s choice. The Netherlands introduced roaming capabilities in 2011, which has since expanded across the EU. Within North America, California already requires charging companies to have roaming capabilities, and the California Energy Commission has recently been exploring how to advance roaming expansion among industry players. It’s safe to say that roaming opportunities will continue to expand across the US as more drivers go electric and infrastructure continues to grow. 

For that next road trip or quick charge while grocery shopping, keep in mind that you have access to more chargers than you might think and can use your favorite app to charge on several different networks.

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