The EVs are for Everyone initiative will visit Canadian cities and towns, raising awareness about electric vehicles

A leading electric vehicle adoption program in Ontario is going national, taking its EV test drives and education programming on the road.

Plug’n Drive, a non-profit EV-awareness organization, will tour Canada to offer education and test drives in cities and rural communities. CEO and president Cara Clairman announced the news at the Electric Mobility Canada conference in Halifax today.

“The ambition is huge. We are hoping to hit every major centre across Canada and as many smaller communities as we possibly can,” says Clairman, in a recent interview with Electric Autonomy.

“We will hit every province.”

Starting this month, the tour will continue for two years.

“The EVs are for Everyone cross-Canada tour is focused on addressing a lack of access to, awareness of, and comfort with, zero emissions vehicles and the infrastructure network that exists to support the choice to go electric,” reads a press release for the announcement.

Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative (ZEVAI) is contributing $1.5 million in funding to support the tour, Electric Autonomy can exclusively reveal.

As well, contributions from key Plug’n Drive sponsors are supporting individual stops.

What to expect on tour

Starting this month in Calgary, Ottawa and Kingston, Ont., the tour will feature two self-contained, ready-to-roll Mobile EV Education Trailers (MEETs). With one each in eastern and western Canada, the MEETs will serve as travelling information hubs and test-drive centres, visiting towns and cities for two to four weeks at a time.

Visitors will get an up-close look at electric vehicles and learn about the future of sustainable transportation. The MEETs will be staffed by trained EV ambassadors and offering engaging and informative displays. And the program not only informs, but it also lets Canadians test drive the latest EV models.

“Test drives are a vital part of the decision-making journey for anyone considering an electric vehicle,” said Clairman.

“The EVs are for Everyone tour makes it easy for potential EV buyers to get hands-on experience with a variety of EV models, compare options, and explore charging solutions.”

The experience will also include a visit to a public charging station so drivers may to understand the experience.

The Plug’n Drive tour kicks off in September in Calgary (Sept. 5-29), Ottawa (Sept. 12-29) and Kingston, Ont. (Oct. 3- 20).

Future dates will be available on Plug’n Drive’s online calendar.

Plug’n Drive rural and remote roadshow

As part of the program, the Plug’n Drive EV Roadshow will travel throughout the regions, visiting remote and rural communities.

Anyone interested can visit the Plug’n Drive website to review the schedule and book an appointment and a test drive. The website also offers interested communities a chance to schedule a tour stop right where they are located.

Mary Mallin, tour manager for EVs are for Everyone, says the focus is on education and access.

“Our events…ensure experiential learning is provided in a no-cost, no-pressure, no-sales environment,” she says.

It is this approach that makes the program “a no-brainer” for the government as it hits a key point in the “trifecta” needed for successful EV adoption, says Thierry Spiess, deputy director for NRCan’s on-road transportation division.

“The Government of Canada understands that we need incentives to make the sticker shock less, we need infrastructure to combat the misconceptions around EV charging and we do need awareness,” says Spiess.

“To have people experience these vehicles firsthand is going to be instrumental.”

Test drives are limited to those over 21 with a valid driving licence.