What once seemed like a hopeful concept for the future has become a reality. Today, you’re more likely to see multiple electric vehicles while you’re driving to work or the grocery store than not, and it’s becoming more common for gas stations and public spaces to install charging stations to accommodate electric vehicle drivers. You probably support a business with an electric vehicle fleet or know someone who has invested in either an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid.

“It’s safe to say electric vehicle adoption has far outpaced our expectations,” said Tyler Bain, a United Power electrical engineer and longtime EV driver. “A sizeable number of EV drivers live in United Power’s service territory, and there’s still a lot of opportunity for growth – for both us and potential EV drivers.”

Why has there been so much recent growth in electric vehicles? Nigel Zeid of Boulder Nissan explains it has a lot to do with understanding and education. Many potential buyers face concerns and hesitations about integrating an electric vehicle into their daily lives.

“There’s a perception that electric vehicles aren’t capable of meeting the average person’s needs,” Zeid says. “Every main concern can be boiled down to that root perception, which is an incorrect one. With a little information, we can turn hesitation into excitement. Electric vehicles have all the benefits of any other vehicle without much of the cost.”

Range anxiety, for example, is one of the hardest barriers for people to overcome, Zeid says. He recommends using your vehicle’s trip odometer to calculate how far you commute in a given day, either to and from work or for various other errands. People usually drive far less than they estimate, and that can demonstrate how range anxiety is typically more psychological than reality.

The growth also has to do with pricing and availability. There are more options at more price points available today than there have been in any year prior. Many major car brands have announced new and upcoming electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Some will even come as a trim option on already popular models for a small premium, which can be more than offset by current state and federal rebates and incentives.

Join United Power from September 26 — October 4 for National Drive EV Week as the cooperative and Zeid walk you through the finer points of EV ownership and much more. Follow our journey and find out more at Drive EV Week.

Benefits of Driving Electric Vehicles Celebrated at United Power’s National Drive Electric Week Event
A free virtual event to learn more about electric vehicles and to ask an EV expert all your questions

Brighton, Colo. – Electric vehicle drivers, supporters, and intrigued United Power members are invited to attend United Power’s “United We Drive EV” webinar on Sun., Sept. 27th from 2-3 p.m.

During the live webinar, United Power will take members on a safe, virtual test drive of an electric vehicle. EV Outreach & Education expert, Nigel Zeid of Boulder Nissan will be on hand to walk you through the finer points of EV ownership, and United Power representatives will discuss how to make the most of an EV with United Power’s rates. Learn more and register for the free event at Drive EV Week.

“With more electric cars than ever before on the market and a larger, more accessible charging infrastructure, owning and driving an EV is within reach for more drivers,” said Joel Danforth, United Power New Business Director. “We want to help our members looking to make the transition to electric vehicles by providing trusted information, and information about rates and programs that make driving an EV even more attractive.”

Today, you’re more likely to see multiple electric vehicles while you’re driving to work or the grocery store than not, and it’s becoming more common for gas stations and public spaces to install charging stations to accommodate electric vehicle drivers. You probably support a business with an electric vehicle fleet or know someone who has invested in either an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid.

“There’s a perception that electric vehicles aren’t capable of meeting the average person’s needs,” Zeid says. “Every main concern can be boiled down to that root perception. With a little information, we can turn hesitation into excitement. Electric vehicles have all the benefits of any other vehicle without much of the cost.”

United Power’s event is one of almost 300 across the country where electric vehicle owners, government and community leaders are celebrating the clean-air benefits and cost-savings of electric cars by holding Drive EV Week educational and informational events.

For more information about United Power’s “United We Drive EV” event, visit: unitedpower.com/DriveEVWeek.

For a complete list of National Drive Electric Week events, visit: DriveElectricWeek.org

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About United Power: United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative delivering electricity to nearly 95,000 meters at homes, business, and farms in Colorado's north central front range. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media at facebook.com/unitedpower or twitter.com/unitedpowercoop

About Plug In America: Plug In America is the nation’s leading independent consumer voice for accelerating the use of plug-in electric vehicles in the United States. Formed as a non-profit in 2008, Plug In America provides practical, objective information collected from our coalition of plug-in vehicle drivers, through public outreach and education, policy work and a range of technical advisory services. Our expertise represents the world’s deepest pool of experience of driving and living with plug-in vehicles. The organization conceived National Drive Electric Week and has advanced workplace charging by pioneering ride-and-drive events at such leading corporations as Google, Mattel and Paramount Pictures. We drive electric. You can too. pluginamerica.org

About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization with more than 2.4 million members and supporters and chapters in all 50 states. The Sierra Club’s national electric vehicles initiative advocates for a switch to EVs as one important way to reduce emissions and cut oil consumption. Sierra Club is proud to have been one of the three national groups organizing National Drive Electric Week since its inception in 2011. www.sierraclub.org/EVGuide.

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.