Climate Action Collaborative: Charge up your batteries this summer
This summer, the road to a cleaner, greener future begins right here in our community. Have you been curious about purchasing an electric vehicle or an electric bike? Or, maybe you’ve heard about the instant torque of EVs and e-bikes and want to test it out for yourself?
Well, mark your calendars for the upcoming EV Ride ‘n Drive and E-Bike Demo, a hands-on celebration of electric mobility and climate action that puts you in the driver’s seat of the clean energy transition. This year’s EV Ride ‘n Drive and E-Bike Demo will be on Sunday, June 1, from 2-6 p.m. at the Brush Creek Pavilion in Eagle. This event is put on in partnership with Walking Mountains and the Climate Action Collaborative, Clean Energy Economy for the Region, and the town of Eagle.
Whether you’re EV-curious or already dreaming of trading gas for green, this event is your chance to experience the thrill of EVs and e-bikes. With knowledgeable community experts on hand and a local fleet of various EV models, attendees can test drive a wide range of EVs, from zippy compacts to spacious SUVs, and hop on an e-bike for a pedal-assisted ride around downtown Eagle.
The e-bike demo will be supported by several local e-bike shops across Eagle County, and four lucky event participants will have the chance to win a $150 gift card from one of the participating e-bike shops. Even more, this event will include food, live music, an EV 101 workshop, and an e-bike maintenance station!
While this event will bring family fun for everyone, it’s also primarily about action. Every electric mile driven or ridden is a small victory for cleaner air, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and a more sustainable transportation future.
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We’re fortunate to have Holy Cross Energy as our primary electric utility in Eagle County, which also happens to be a sponsor of this event. Holy Cross Energy has committed to achieving 100% renewable energy to the electricity grid by 2030, and we’re eager to share that they’re well on their way to achieving this goal. In Eagle County, the transportation sector is one of the largest contributors to carbon pollution, and shifting to electric forms of transportation is one of the most impactful moves we can make, individually and collectively.
Perhaps you’re skeptical about the environmental impact of EVs, and if they’re really all that better than a gas-powered vehicle. First and foremost, the cleaner the electricity used to power the EV, the fewer overall emissions will come from the life cycle of the EV.
In 2023, Holy Cross Energy’s power supply was 50% renewable. The Bronco Plains II Wind Project, which came online in 2024, has raised its renewable portfolio by nearly 25%, meaning that in 2024, our electric utility’s power supply mix was nearly 75% renewably powered. Additionally, EVs are simply more efficient and less wasteful than their gas counterparts. Today’s gasoline-fueled cars waste around 80% of the energy that gets pumped into their gas tanks, due to heat loss and thermodynamics.
EVs, on the other hand, operate with 10% to 20% energy loss, converting most of the energy put into them into movement. Beyond these essential points, it’s important to consider that EVs don’t idle with air-polluting emissions, and they have regenerative braking that captures energy when slowing down. All to say, even if you aren’t driven by the environmental impact, the efficiency and operational cost savings of an EV should surely spark your interest.
If you leave this event awe-inspired to purchase an EV or e-bike, don’t miss out on the great incentives available for doing so! Consider the following:
- Holy Cross Energy e-bike and EV charging rebates
- Energy Smart Colorado rebates are administered through Walking Mountains, for EVs and EV chargers
- The State of Colorado’s EV tax credit and e-bike tax credit
- Federal government clean vehicle tax credits
So, whether you’re a local community member looking for a day of fun, a commuter tired of gas prices, a tech enthusiast, or in the market for a new vehicle, the EV Ride ‘n Drive and E-Bike Demo has something for everyone. The road ahead is electric, and everyone’s invited.
Don’t forget to register.
Gina McCrackin is the Climate Action Collaborative Manager at Walking Mountains. The Climate Action Collaborative is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Eagle County 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050.
