PROVIDENCE - The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) are joining six other Northeast states and automakers in a new initiative to increase electric car use throughout the Northeast. The 'Drive Change. Drive Electric.' campaign focuses on the availability and economic benefits of electric vehicles, including tax/purchase incentives and fuel price savings, and encourages the public to test drive an electric car.
Last fall, DEM, along with OER, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, the Rhode Island Department of Health, Ocean State Clean Cities at the University of Rhode Island, and its partners invited the public to test drive electric vehicles at an event at Misquamicut State Beach. The event, which featured the latest electric vehicles on the market, was part of the National Drive Electric Week and gave the public an opportunity to experience firsthand the benefits of driving electric and the wide array of vehicles currently available. This event was one of more than 200 public events across the country (and around the world) highlighting the clean-air benefits and cost-savings of electric vehicles.
In addition to providing consumers with improved performance, convenience, and lower fueling and maintenance costs, deploying electric vehicles will help reduce the effects of climate change. Having more electric cars on the roads will play a significant role in meeting climate change mitigation goals; electric vehicles produce fewer emissions that contribute to climate change and smog than conventional vehicles.
In addition to Rhode Island, state partners in the 'Drive Change. Drive Electric.' campaign include New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and New Jersey. Partnering automakers include BMW Group, FCA U.S., Ford Motor Company, General Motors, America Honda Motor Co. Inc., Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz USA, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan North America, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo.
For more information on Drive Change. Drive Electric., visit https://driveelectricus.com/
For information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.