The annual National Drive Electric Week is a nationwide celebration to raise awareness of the many benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles, bikes, and other vehicles.
2024’s Drive Electric Week starts on September 27th and runs through October 6th. The week features in-person and online events for those considering going electric, including several along Colorado’s Front Range. You can learn more about these events by clicking on the event’s name.
Ecotoberfest
Sat, Oct 05 at 2:00 - 6:00 pm MDT
The Cities of Lafayette and Louisville and the Towns of Superior and Erie are hosting a regional sustainability event called Ecotoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 2-6pm at Louisville Community Park (955 Bella Vista Drive) in Louisville.
Metro Denver Green Home Tours - EV Show and EV Chauffeuring
Sat, Oct 05 at 9:00 am - 5:00 pm MDT
Jefferson Unitarian Church (JUC), Golden, CO
Chauffeur people around to green homes at the Metro Denver Green Home Tours. You will drive people from green home to green home and enjoy the tour with them. You will probably also talk about your EV while you're driving because...well, that's what we do! There will also be an EV show where you can show your car to people at the beginning location of the tour.
Lafayette Cars and Coffee Electric Avenue
Sat, Oct 05 at 6:50 - 10:00 am MDT
Flatirons Church Parking Lot, Lafayette, CO
Electric Avenue EV show at Lafayette Cars and Coffee. This is a recurrent event, every first Saturday, with a good showing of EVs and a chance to talk with other EV geeks. We have a row where the EVs park.
CORE Electric Cooperative Cars and Coffee
Sat, Sep 28 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm MDT
Core Headquarters, Sedalia, CO
EV Showcase Training and Education
Learn more about charging at this hands-on experience, get free pastries and coffee, and ask EV owners questions about their experience. CORE will be present to talk about charging and answer any other questions.
Electrify Longmont Fair
Sun, Oct 06 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm MDT
Boulder County Fairgrounds, Longmont, CO
Electrify Longmont is a fun, family-oriented event that will feature food trucks, kids' activities, music, information about home electrification, and many different makes and models of electric vehicles. Are you an electric vehicle owner? Come share your experience with the Longmont community! New to electric vehicles? Come see them in person and discover how amazing they are!
National Drive Electric Week Colorado Springs
Sat, Sep 28 at 8:30 - 11:30 am MDT
Bass Pro Shops, Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs EV Club will have a number of Electric Vehicles displayed at this event. This is the location of a monthly "Last Saturday" car show where the CSEVC maintains a booth and provides display cars. Our members are experienced at educating the public on issues like EV charging, living with EV's, performance specs, EV and Home Charging Federal, State and Utility incentives, etc.
Summit County Electric Vehicle Ride & Drive
Sat, Sep 21 at 2:00 - 6:00 pm MDT
Frisco Adventure Park, Frisco, CO
Are you EV-curious and wondering what's it like to drive an EV in the mountains during winter? Or how to charge at home or on the road? HC3 and its climate action partners are hosting an Electric Vehicle Ride & Drive. Join us at this free event to ask your EV-driving neighbors all your burning questions and test drive a few electric cars!
Other events are scheduled on the Western Slope and in surrounding states. See the Drive Electric Events page for more information.
EVs Have Come a Long Way in 100 Years
Electric-powered vehicles (EVs) have been around for over 100 years, but today’s EVs and hybrids feature state-of-the-art technology like lane tracking, automatic emergency braking, and over-the-air updates as new tech becomes available. Electric vehicles have instant torque that allows you to quickly speed up and merge into freeway traffic easily and more safely.
Wild fluctuations in gasoline and electrical power prices have made mileage costs harder to compare, but EV operation is often less expensive than internal combustion engines, especially when you charge overnight at home. Maintenance costs can be lower, too, given fewer mechanical parts in an EV.
Plus, even considering the carbon emissions from manufacturing and electric power generation, they can be better for the environment.
Power Up at Home
Most EVs and hybrids can be charged right in your home’s garage. A typical overnight charge will power your EV for 300 miles or more, plenty for a typical week’s worth of commuting and running errands.
New homes in many locales are required by law to have conduit installed to support at-home EV charging. A licensed electrician can then run the wiring, install the charging point and add any new service that may be needed. Older homes can also be wired for EV charging by a qualified licensed electrical contractor.
For more information about how to install an EV charging station at your home, read this article on the Allstar Electrical Services website.
Power Up on the Road
As more individuals and businesses switch to electric vehicles, the need for rapid-charging stations conveniently located in cities and along highways is growing. Businesses are also seeing the benefits of having charging stations onsite.
Rapid- and heavy-duty (Level 3) charging stations require specialized equipment drawing 480 volts DC or more. Some of these stations can charge a passenger vehicle or light-duty truck in little more time than it takes to fill up at a gas station.
Note: Some vehicles cannot charge at Level 3 stations. Knowing your vehicle’s specifications is very important.
There are several resources for locating commercial charging stations on the internet. For more information about commercial charging stations, see this article in the Allstar Resource Library.
Allstar Electrical Services has helped Coloradans increase efficiency while adding comfort and convenience to their homes and businesses for over 20 years. We’re top-rated by the BBB and are proud to be an Angi’s® HomeAdvisor Preferred Contractor.
To learn more about the many ways upgraded electric services and emerging technologies can improve your home or business, visit our website or give us a call at 303.399.7420.