San Jose, VivaFest to Host Free Electric Vehicle Test-Drive Event

"Experience Electric" at San Jose Mexican Heritage Festival, Saturday, Oct. 25

News provided by

Metropolitan Transportation Commission

Oct 24, 2014, 01:21 ET

OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Visitors to VivaFest's Dia de los Muertos celebration on Saturday, Oct. 25, can test-drive some of the newest models of electric cars at Saint James Park in San Jose. The "Experience Electric – The Better Ride" campaign will offer free test drives from 12 to 5 p.m.

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The electric vehicle (EV) ride-and-drive event will feature the BMW i3, Chevy Volt, Chevy Spark and smart EV, as well as three cars from Ford: C-MAX Energi, Fusion Energi and Focus Electric. Licensed drivers can try out the new EVs on a first-come, first-served basis and feel the differences between driving with electricity versus driving a gas-powered car. Those taking test drives will receive Experience Electric souvenir sunglasses.

"Test-driving at a dealer's showroom can be a bit intimidating, but there's no pressure or sales hype at our events," said Jordan DiGiorgio, Experience Electric project manager. "Most everyone has seen an EV on the road or in ads, but this is a chance to try one out, have some fun and feel the electric experience."

The test drives are part of the 23^rd annual VivaFest, a celebration of the culture and musical heart of Mexico, sponsored by the Mexican Heritage Corporation. The Dia de los Muertos event is a family day with music, an arts expo, food and fun.

The Experience Electric campaign is a joint initiative of MTC, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and a consortium of EV organizations including the Center for Sustainable Energy, Plug In America and Charge Across Town. The campaign's goal is to increase EV adoption in the Bay Area's nine counties. Accelerating EV use is a key strategy for state and local governments to reduce emissions from gas-powered vehicles, improve air quality and achieve goals for curbing greenhouse emissions.

To learn more about Experience Electric and future ride-and-drive events, visit www.facebook.com/thebetterride or www.energycenter.org/ExperienceElectric.

MTC is the transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is the agency chartered with protecting air quality in the Bay Area.

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SOURCE Metropolitan Transportation Commission