Test Drive An Electric Car, Enter To Win $5,000

WILSONVILLE, OR — Test drive an electric vehicle in Wilsonville this weekend and automatically enter to win a $5,000 downpayment on the purchase of a new electric car. Portland General Electric and the city of Wilsonville are celebrating National Drive Electric Week by inviting the community to learn about and test out various models of electric cars.

The PGE-sponsored National Drive Electric Week event will be held at Lowries Marketplace, 30299 S.W. Boones Ferry Rd. in Wilsonville, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 15. Several Wilsonville car dealerships and electric vehicle makers will reportedly be on hand to help visitors learn about and become more familiar with various types of electric vehicles.

Wilsonville Mayor Tim Knapp will reportedly announce the raffle winner about half an hour before the event ends.

“The city of Wilsonville seeks a sustainable future for our community and country," Knapp told Patch in an email. "As part of our commitment to a green energy future, the city participates in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ‘Green Power Communities’ program with the purchase of PGE Clean Wind power for city facilities. We are also starting the transition of our diesel transit buses to cleaner energy sources, including having won grants to acquire three new electric battery-powered buses.”

According to PGE, the most common barriers to purchasing an electric vehicle are a lack of familiarity and experience as well as anxiety based on charging the vehicle. Not knowing where and/or how to charge the car, costs for charging, and miles per charge are reportedly the most significant factors preventing folks from investing in an electric vehicle.

"This event will give potential (electric vehicle) owners an opportunity to test drive a number of different EVs, learn about EVs … without the pressure to buy, and talk to current EV owners about their experience owning electric vehicles," PGE officials said in an email.

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Tesla's Model 3, Model S, and Model X will reportedly be on hand, as well as electric vehicle models from Nissan, Chevrolet, Volkswagen, Chrysler, Fiat, BMW, Toyota, Honda, Ford, and more. Additionally, 18 different car dealerships from Wilsonville and the greater Portland metro region will provide assistance with the test drives.

In Wilsonville, PGE said there are currently 13 places the public can charge their electric vehicles, such as Wilsonville Fred Meyer, Wilsonville Town Center, Clackamas Community College's Wilsonville campus, and World of Speed. PGE also has plans to install five more charging stations throughout its service territory.

"The event is a great opportunity for people to test drive a range of EVs, get hands-on experience with the vehicles and have their EV questions answered by industry experts," PGE officials said in a statement. "EVs play a critical role in decarbonizing our transportation system and will help advance Oregon’s transition to a clean energy future."

For more information on the event, including a full list of participating dealerships and electric vehicle models available to test drive, visit DriveElectricWeek.org.

Image via Francis Joseph Dean/Shutterstock