https://www.rgj.com/story/money/business/2019/07/10/public-can-test-drive-tesla-bmw-other-electric-cars-reno-ev-event/1689292001/
Public can test drive Tesla, BMW and other electric cars in Reno EV driving
event
July 10, 2019  Jason Hidalgo

[image  
https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2019/07/10/PREN/c5061a2f-5230-4394-8b4c-db784e9a4ca0-IMG_0957.JPG
An image from one of the Electric Vehicle Guest Drive events by NV Energy
and the Nevada Department of Transportation. (Photo: NV Energy)
]

Itching to test drive several electric car models in the Biggest Little
City? 

Motorists in Reno-Sparks will get the chance to sample various electric
vehicles or EVs this coming Saturday — provided they register online and nab
an open slot.

The Nevada Department of Transportation and NV Energy are teaming up to hold
their latest Electric Vehicle Guest Drive event on June 13 at the utility
company’s Neil Road facility. It is the program’s fourth public test driving
event in the state and the second one in Reno, which held its first event
last October. The other driving events were held in Las Vegas.

“We want to give customers the capability of being able to touch and feel
electric vehicles and demystify any questions they might have (about them),”
said Sarah Chatterjee, director of renewable energy programs for NV Energy.
“Many of our customers have never gotten to drive an electric vehicle and we
want to provide them a fun way to do it.”

Several EV models to test
With more than seven models to try, even folks who have driven an EV before
could get some extra mileage from the event if they’re interested in
comparing different vehicles. Models that will be at the event include
Tesla’s Model S, 3 and X; the BMW i3 REX; and the Mitsubishi Outlander.

Even if you miss out on a slot for a test drive, you can still attend the
event just to take a look at the vehicles up close. Previous events
typically get between 150 people to 200 people test driving cars but they
also see up to 300 people stopping by just to see the vehicles, Chatterjee
said.

More: Tesla Reno service center officially opens, taking appointments

Asked if drivers can test out features in some of the vehicles such as
Tesla’s Autopilot, Chatterjee responded that they can do whatever is allowed
by the law. Driving is also only allowed within a set course.

“They can operate the vehicle within the guidelines allowed on the road,”
Chatterjee said. “Safety is a very important thing for us as well.”

Each car will also have an EV expert accompanying the test drivers who can
talk about the vehicles and answer questions. Attendees who do not want to
drive a vehicle also can have an EV expert do the driving instead.

Nevada Electric Highway
In addition to helping consumers get familiarized with the vehicles, another
driving force behind the program is to raise awareness about the state’s
growing number of electric charging stations.

NV Energy provides incentives for businesses, for example, to install
electric vehicle charging stations on their premises. NDOT also wants to
raise awareness about Nevada’s expanding electric charging network.

“Following up on the establishment of the Nevada Electric Highway, this
event is another way we are proud to support the transportation options
which will keep Nevada safe and connected well into the future,” said Meg
Ragonese, NDOT spokeswoman. “It also provides Nevadans an additional
opportunity to participate in more environmentally-sustainable
transportation options.”

Folks who miss the event or are unable to get a test driving slot will have
another opportunity to take part sometime in the fall, with another test
drive planned in the spring as well. Scheduling events can sometimes be
tricky in Reno due to weather.

“We want to make sure we have good, clear weather and no ice on the roads,”
Chatterjee said.


IF YOU GO
The Electric Vehicle Guest Drive event will be held on Saturday, July 13,
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at NV Energy’s main office building at 6100 Neil Road
in Reno. To take part in a test drive register at:
http://electriccarguestdrive.com/reno7-13 .
[© rgj.com]




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