The Ottawa Climate Action Fund (OCAF), an initiative of the Ottawa Community Foundation (OCF) and the OCF are proud to be founding sponsors of EnviroCentre’s EV Experience/Expérience VÉ, a milestone on the road to decarbonizing transportation and an exciting opportunity for anyone who ever gets behind the wheel of a car.
The project officially launched June 20 at an event at the Bayview Yards.
“This public-private-philanthropic-community collaboration delivers an EV Experience for all Ottawans—from renters to rural, regardless of income,” said OCAF Executive Director Steve Winkelman. “It will accelerate EV use in Ottawa and help make carsharing an even more practical option to reduce car ownership and per capita vehicle use.”
“Cars and trucks produce 42% of Ottawa’s greenhouse gas emissions,” Winkelman said. “Switching to an electric vehicle makes sense, since 94% of Ontario’s electricity is emissions-free.”
But many Ottawa residents have questions—about what it’s like to drive an EV, how and when to charge them, and how to get through the day on a single charge.
That makes EV Experience/Expérience VÉ a catalytic initiative, giving Ottawans a chance to test drive an electric vehicle close to home and talk to local experts about the ins and outs of EV ownership.
“EV Experience/Expérience VÉ arrives at just the moment when everyone is wondering what they’ll have to do to electrify their daily ride,” Winkelman said. “With free test drives in neighbourhoods across the city, and five new EVs added to Communauto’s carsharing fleet, here’s a chance to find out.”
Coordinated by EnviroCentre, EV Experience/Expérience VÉ is the result of a strong partnership among local organizations committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our city. OCAF and OCF are pleased to co-fund EV Experience alongside Natural Resources Canada. Key implementation partners include: Communauto and Electric Vehicle Council of Ottawa, along with supporting partners: the City of Ottawa, Hydro Ottawa, the Ottawa Climate Action Fund by the Ottawa Community Foundation, and SMARTNet Alliance. Click here for details on EV Experience/Expérience VÉ.
(Photo) From left to right: Raymond Leury, EVCO | Sharon Coward, EnviroCentre | Steve Winkelman, OCAF | Nick Hebb, SmartNet Alliance | Tina Nicholson, OCAF | Wilson Wood, Communauto | Jennifer Stelzer, EnviroCentre | Yasir Naqvi, MP Ottawa Centre