Walnut Creek to Host Free Electric Vehicle Test-Drive Event

"Experience Electric" at Walnut Creek Farmers' Market, Sunday, Oct. 26

News provided by

Metropolitan Transportation Commission

Oct 24, 2014, 01:48 ET

OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Visitors to the Walnut Creek Farmers' Market on Sunday, Oct. 26, can test-drive some of the newest models of electric cars on North Locust Street. The "Experience Electric – The Better Ride" campaign will offer free test drives from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

MTC Logo

The electric vehicle (EV) ride-and-drive event will feature the Nissan Leaf and smart EV, as well as cars from other manufacturers. 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 and a $5 voucher that may be redeemed at Farmers' Market vendors.

"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 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.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140801/132756

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/walnut-creek-to-host-free-electric-vehicle-test-drive-event-800530143.html

SOURCE Metropolitan Transportation Commission