  
Friday, September 21, 2012
Contact:
Zan Dubin Scott, zan@pluginamerica.org, (310) 383-0956
Eddie Scher, eddie.scher@sierraclub.org, (415) 977-5756
2012
National Plug In Day Celebrates 200 Million Oil-Free Miles
Free Public Events
in more than 60 cities to attract thousands, highlight adoption of electric
vehicles
[San Francisco, CA] Today National Plug In Day events are taking
place in more than 60 cities nationwide organized by Plug In America, Sierra
Club, Electric Auto Association, and local groups. These free events invite the
public to celebrate the success of electric vehicles from the perspective of
tens of thousands of U.S. drivers who are saving money at the pump and leading an
oil-free transportation revolution.
New data
compiled by the National Plug In Day organizers show that, with tens of
thousands of new electric vehicles (EVs) on the road, EVs have now traveled
more than 200 million
oil-free electric miles in recent years. EV drivers thus avoided the purchase
of 7.4 million gallons of gasoline, saved $19.6 million in fueling costs (even
taking into account electricity costs), and prevented 96.5 million pounds of
carbon pollution emissions (even factoring in emissions from electricity
generated to charge EVs)—that’s like closing 20 coal-fired power plants for a
year. These impressive figures are only the beginning, as EV sales are growing
steadily, and many new models are becoming available.
The National Plug In Day events, open to the public, feature electric cars,
trucks and motorcycles in electric car
parades, “tailpipe-free” tailgate parties, awards to leaders promoting
EV-readiness, the launch of new public EV charging stations, and other
educational events. Event-goers in the Los
Angeles area will be taking EV test-drives and checking out more
than a dozen models of electric cars of the past and present at the Automobile
Driving Museum. In New
York City,
there will be electric delivery trucks on display from companies like Fed Ex,
Coca Cola, and Duane Reade. The mayor of Sarasota, FL will be
issuing a National Plug In Day proclamation where participants in that city
will be invited to enjoy test-rides, musical entertainment, and a silent
and emission-free EV parade.
In August the Obama
Administration finalized new car efficiency and pollution standards that will
raise average fuel economy to 54.5 MPG and slash greenhouse gas pollution from
new cars and light trucks. Automakers supported these new standards, in part,
because they were confident that they have the technology to meet them, and
buyers are demanding high-tech, innovative vehicles. EVs will play an important
role in helping automakers meet and exceed these new standards.
“50,000 new electric
vehicles sold in the U.S. in two years are proof positive that Americans are
ready to move beyond oil,” said Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director.
“The solution for ending high gas prices, rising oceans and Big Oil's choke
hold on our economy and democracy is using less gas. And we’re doing it. Today
almost every automaker offers a car that runs on little or no oil, and Plug In
Day 2012 is only the beginning of a new era of oil-free driving.”
“Plug-in cars are a blast to drive, cheaper
than comparable gas cars when fuel and incentives are included, and can charge
while you sleep," said Chad Schwitters, Plug In America President.
"Getting this good news to the American public is the reason for National
Plug In Day and we’re inviting citizens to celebrate at free events coast to
coast."
“It’s thrilling to see the breadth of
plug-in vehicles available on the market today.
Unprecedented choices are being offered in showrooms by major
manufacturers,” says Ron Freund, Chairman of the Electric Auto
Association. “The future is here now,
not just around the corner! The National Plug In Day event celebrates this
revolution!”
For more event details in
each city visit: http://www.pluginday.org
For details of the
new data analysis see: http://sierraclub.typepad.com/compass/2012/09/national-plug-in-day-oil-free.html
###
About Plug In America: Plug In
America is leading the nation’s plug-in vehicle movement. The nonprofit
organization works to accelerate the shift to plug-in vehicles powered by
clean, affordable, domestic electricity to reduce our nation's dependence on
petroleum and improve the global environment. We drive
electric. You can, too. www.pluginamerica.org
About the Sierra
Club: The Sierra Club is the nation’s oldest and largest
grassroots environmental organization with 1.4 million members and supporters
and chapters in all 50 states. The
Sierra Club’s national electric vehicles campaign advocates for a switch to EVs
as one important way to reduce emissions and cut our addiction to oil. www.sierraclub.org/electric-vehicles
About the Electric Auto Association: The Electric
Auto Association, formed in 1967, is a nonprofit educational organization with 75
chapters worldwide that promotes the advancement and widespread adoption of
electric vehicles. www.electricauto.org
Connect with the Sierra Club:
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Sierra Club
