SOHEVA to mark “National Drive Electric Week” with Innovative Virtual “Test Drive” Sessions

The Southern Oregon Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Association (SOHEVA), the local chapter of the Electric Auto Association, will observe National Drive Electric Week, September 26 to October 3, with online presentations appealing to the specific interests and budgets of potential EV buyers.  The programs will be co-sponsored by Southern Oregon Climate Action Now (SOCAN).

Past Drive Electric Week events offered in-person test drives, but to ensure safety during the pandemic SOHEVA will instead present a virtual event with three one-hour Zoom sessions (10:30, 12:30, and 3:30) on Saturday, September 26.

Presenters will give a personal photo and/or video tour of their cars, with the balance of the hour open to questions from participants.

The Zoom sessions are free and open to the public. Participants may join in any or all but attendance may be limited.  Links to the session(s) are identified below. For more information, please email Bruce Borgerson at wave@mind.net.

10:30 AM -Session 1: Budget Friendly Planet-Savers: From $2500

Zoom link:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83277988139

This session will explore the personal and planetary benefits that come with driving a used, first-generation EV around the Rogue Valley. The focus will be on saving money and dramatically reducing personal GHG emissions.

Host: Bruce Borgerson, member of Ashland Transportation Commission and author of the Rogue Valley Green Car Guide.  He drives a 2016 Chevy Spark EV.

Co-presenter: Stu Green, City of Ashland Climate and Energy Analyst.  He drives a 2014 Nissan Leaf.

12:30 PM – Session 2: EV Options for the Open Road: $15,000 and Up

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86403968593

This session will look at a broad spectrum of (non-Tesla) cars ready for inter-city travel and touring, with an emphasis on features, drivability and – most of all – charging intervals and infrastructure.

Host: James McGinness, a member of the Conservation and Climate Outreach Commission, helped spearhead the Ashland Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP). He drives a 2018 Chevy Bolt.

Co-presenter: Jim Hartman, Environmental Science teacher at Ashland High School.  He drives a 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus.

Co-presenters: Bruce and Pam Shay, respectively principal bassoon of the Rogue Valley Symphony and retired school administrator. They are prior lessees of a Fiat 500e and now own a 2019 Chevy Bolt.

3:30 PM – Session 3: Tesla and the Autonomous Future

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82747904511

This session will review the performance and proprietary technologies of the Tesla lineup, and also consider the levels of autonomous driving available now and in the future.

Host: James Stephens, EAA/SOHEVA Chapter President and EAA Board Director He drives a Model 3 that is FSD (Full Self-Driving) capable.

Co-presenter: Bryan Sohl is also a member of the Ashland Conservation and Climate Outreach Commission and contributor to CEAP.  He drives a Tesla Model X.

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Established in 2015, SOHEVA is a group of local vehicle enthusiasts who are dedicated to dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions as well as advancement of personal transportation technologies.  Hybrid automobiles were a major emphasis when the group was founded, however in recent years the focus has shifted to plug-in cars, including plug-in hybrids (PHEV) but primarily all-electric, battery-only vehicles (BEV).  SOHEVA is the local chapter of the Electric Auto Association (EAA), a national non-profit educational organization that promotes the advancement and widespread adoption of battery electric vehicles. It was formed in 1967.

Southern Oregon Climate Action Now (SOCAN) is a non-profit group dedicated to promoting awareness and understanding about the science, causes, and consequences of climate change.