National Drive Electric Month
While the gasoline car has certainly been the most popular in automobile history, many people don’t realize that some of the first cars invented ran on electric power! Experimental prototypes of these cars showed up in Europe in the 1830s, and the first viable option may have been in 1890...
Drive purchase intent and test-drive conversions by positioning electric vehicles as affordable, accessible, and environmentally responsible during a month-long national awareness push.
- EV owners share their real-world charging stories and cost savings vs. gas cars
- Interactive 'Find Your Perfect EV' quiz with local dealer/charging station locators
- Before-and-after carbon footprint calculator for gas-to-electric switchers
- Live event coverage: car shows, expos, and Q&A forums with EV experts and owners
Notable campaigns5
- Nissan (2025): Platinum sponsor of National Drive Electric Month 2025. Provides LEAF & ARIYA models for test drives at local events nationwide. Example: Schenectady, NY event featured free rides & test drives in Nissan ARIYA.
- Wells Fargo (2024): Platinum sponsor (exclusive banking partner) of National Drive Electric Month. Collaborated with Nissan of Bowie to award an EV to a retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant at Poolesville Green's Drive Electric Day event.
- Kelley Blue Book (2025): Gold-level sponsor of National Drive Electric Month. Provides pricing, incentive, and consumer education resources during campaign.
- General Motors (2024): Participated in local NDEM events by providing test rides of Chevy Volts and other EV models at community events.
- Sierra Club (2025): Co-organizer of NDEM 2025. Hosted 196 events across 175 cities with 61,549 attendees and 2,600+ test drives. Examples: West Hartford, CT outdoor showcase; Muskegon, MI Lake Michigan beach event with e-bikes, campers, golf carts.
Campaign ideas8
- Host local test-drive events at community hubs (malls, parks, festivals) with EV owners & dealers—capture leads via QR codes
- Partner with utilities to offer free charging station tours + education on home charging installation rebates
- Create 'EV Owner Stories' content series—short videos/posts featuring real drivers talking about savings, performance, environmental impact
- Launch a month-long social media challenge: #DriveElectricMonth testimonials, range anxiety myths debunked, cost-savings calculators
- Offer exclusive lease/purchase deals valid only during the month—highlight financing options for consumers in target markets
- Sponsor 3-5 local community events (festivals, street fairs, sustainability expos) with vehicle showcases & interactive booths
- Email campaign targeting past test-drive attendees with incentives, charging locator tools, and FAQ content on purchase readiness
- Partner with local charging networks (Electrify America, ChargePoint, etc.) for 'Charge & Learn' roadshow events in underrepresented regions
Social angles6
- 'Today I went electric and here's why' — share real customer testimonials, environmental impact, & savings #DriveElectricMonth #PlugInFuture
- Myth-busting carousel: 'Range anxiety' debunked, charging times explained, cost-of-ownership facts with infographics #DriveElectricMonth
- Countdown content: 'Days until the next EV event near you' + local event links, test-drive sign-ups #DriveElectricMonth #FindAnEvent
- Behind-the-scenes: Follow our team at local NDEM events—real conversations, test drives, community reactions #DriveElectricMonth
- Incentives spotlight: 'Still time to get [state/federal rebate info]' + financing options during Drive Electric Month #DriveElectricMonth
- User-generated content: Repost customer test-drive photos, charging station moments, EV ownership milestones #DriveElectricMonth #EVOwnerLife
Ad copy starters5
“'Test Drive Electric This Month' — Free test drives at [location]. See why 61,500+ people drove electric in 2025.”
“'Electric Costs Less' — Compare your monthly gas vs. EV charging. Join National Drive Electric Month.”
“'The Future of Driving Is Here' — Experience the Nissan ARIYA & LEAF. Sept 12 – Oct 12.”
“'Ready to Switch?' — Test drive + financing guidance. National Drive Electric Month. No pressure, no sales pitch.”
“'Save Thousands a Year' — Real EV owners share their cost savings. Free test drives all month.”
Tips4
- DO emphasize experiential over transactional—test drives & real owner stories outperform spec sheets. Thousands of people drive electric for the first time during NDEM.
- DON'T oversell financing or hard-sell tactics. NDEM is about education & community. Play the long game with brand awareness and future purchase intent.
- DO leverage local event data (attendance, test drives, leads) in your follow-up campaigns—capture that warm moment and nurture within 72 hours.
- DON'T ignore underserved regions. Rural & mid-size cities have growing EV interest but fewer local events—partner with organizers to fill gaps.
National Drive Electric Month is a bit more recent than that. It was founded in 2011 by Plug In America in partnership with the Sierra Club and the Electric Vehicle Association.
The event originally started as National Plug-In Day, but three years later, it was changed to National Drive Electric Week.
By 2017, the event had reached all 50 US states and later reached other countries around the world, such as Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
In 2025, National Drive Electric Week changed once more to encompass an entire month.
Today, the US Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Washington, D.C., also supports and celebrates National Drive Electric Month.
Consider Driving Electric
For those who have been considering switching from a gasoline or diesel-powered car to an electric vehicle, this National Drive Electric Month might be the perfect opportunity to get more informed and make the switch. Check out some of these facts to help with the decision: More and more fuel stations are setting up electric charging points, making it easier to use electric carsAs electric vehicles become more popular, prices are fallingMost EVs bought in the US are made in North AmericaEven considering the electric charge, EVs are considered to have less of a carbon footprint than traditional cars
Share With Friends About Drive Electric Month
Those who already own an electric car might want to make a big deal out of National Drive Electric Month by snapping a photo and sharing it on social media with their sphere of influence. Invite others into a conversation about what it means to drive electric and why you love it!
Attend a National Drive Electric Month Event
The website for National Drive Electric Month provides a list of the various events being held. Dozens of registered events will occur in different states across the country, and it’s possible to attend or even volunteer to help out. Car shows, vehicle expos, green fairs, and educational seminars about sustainability are all on offer. In addition, many events provide food, live music, Q&A forums, and free electric charging for vehicles. Check out a local event and get involved in honor of this event!
Organize a National Drive Electric Month Event
Folks who are excited about electric vehicles but who don’t have access to a local event might be interested in hosting one. Hop onto the National Drive Electric Month website to get more information on how to become an official event host. Folks who are interested in National Drive Electric Month might also want to celebrate Charge Your Car Day on October 5 or International Reducing CO2 Emissions Day on January 28.