Tap into the plug-in experiences of electric vehicle (EV) owners and check out their cars at more than 200 locations during National Electric Drive Week. Plus, see a restored 1917 EV at an Overland Park, KS event.
There are five Electric Drive Week events in the Kansas City metropolitan area and 246 events nationwide during the week of September 9 – 17. To find an event in the U.S. or Canada, search Drive Electric Week using your city or zip code to locate the closest event.
In the K.C. area, these events are free (unless noted) and open to the public. Each event has its own registration link and includes a chance to win $250 from Electric Drive Week.
Overland Park – Jewish Community Center Campus
Sunday, September 10 • 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
5801 W 115th St., Overland Park, KS
Electric Avenue at the Jewish Culture Fest of Greater Kansas City will feature a wide range of privately owned electric vehicles, a vintage EV and electric bicycles that can be taken for a trial spin.
A highlight will be the display of a 1917 Detroit Electric automobile, restored to original condition. It will be driven from a local museum to the festival site with an escort and “honor guard” of modern electric cars.
Owners of plug-in vehicles will be showing their electric plug-in vehicles, including: Chevrolet Volt, EV Conversion, Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model S, Tesla Model 3. BMW, the event sponsor, will offer ride-and-drives of its full line of electric vehicles.
The Jewish Culture Fest will feature visual artists, musical performances, food and exhibits. A world-renowned Jerusalem restaurant, Eucalyptus West, will have a pop-up restaurant featuring Mediterranean and middle-eastern cuisine by chef Moshe Basson. Tickets must be purchased in advance for two seatings.
Admission to the Jewish Culture Fest and Electric Avenue is $6 advance /$8 door for adults and $3 advance /$5 door for children 4-12. Children under 3 are free. Advance tickets may be purchased at Jewish Culture Fest. To enter the $250 drawing for this event, register to attend Electric Avenue at Electric Drive Week.
Platte City – Jowler Creek Winery
Sunday, September 10 • 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
16905 Jowler Creek Road, Platte City, MO
Jowler Creek Winery will be offering free test drives in its Nissan Leaf and self-guided eco-trail walking tours. Wine tastings will be offered and electric or hybrid car owners will get free wine tastings. Register to attend at Electric Drive Week.
Overland Park – Black & Veatch World Headquarters
Tuesday, September 12 • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
11401 Lamar Ave., Overland Park, KS
Members of the Mid-America Electric Auto Association will display their electric vehicles and answer questions in the south parking area of Black & Veatch’s World Headquarters.
Professionals and the public have the opportunity to learn more about EV technology and the charging stations throughout Black & Veatch’s parking lot. Vehicle displays and “Ride ‘n Drives” are planned by several vendors.
The B&V Credit Union, Central Library and Black & Veatch’s EV car-share program, through Enterprise Rent-A-Car, plan to have representatives at the event. An electric bike display will be inside the Rodman Innovation Pavilion, and Kansas City Regional Clean Cities Coalition plans to bring consumer information about PEVs, fuel economy, idle reduction and other information on alternative fuel vehicles in the KC metro.
Black & Veatch joined the U.S. Department of Energy’s Workplace Charging Challenge to expand access to workplace electric vehicle charging stations across the United States. The company has more than 40 charging stations at its world headquarters, making Black & Veatch a leading provider of workplace charging.
Owners of plug-in vehicles will be showing their EVs, including: BMWi3, EV Conversion, Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model S, Zero Motorcycle. Register to attend at Drive Electric Week.
Prairie Village – Village Presbyterian Church
Wednesday, September 13 • 4 – 7:30 p.m.
6641 Mission Road (south parking lot), Prairie Village, KS
EV owners will be showing their electric plug-in vehicles, including: EV Conversion, Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model S, Tesla Model X, Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In and Zero Motorcycle. Register to attend at Drive Electric Week.
Lees Summit – f’real Foods
Sunday, September 17 • 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
2884 NE Independence Ave. (parking lot), Lees Summit, MO
Owners of plug-in vehicles will be showing these EVs: BMW i3, MBW i3 Rex, Ford Focus Electric and Nissan Leaf. Register to attend at Drive Electric Week.
Photo: Noya Fields / CC
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