Latest news with #EVexperience
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla To Offer Extended EV Test Drive Experiences Via Electrify Expos' Weekender Program
Electrify Weekender Launch with Tesla in Los Angeles Tesla will be the exclusive partner at Electrify Expo LA for the Electrify Weekender program with additional automakers to be announced for future cities Electrify Weekender is an extended test drive program exclusive to Electrify Expo attendees where they can take their EV of choice home and experience how it fits in their everyday life LOS ANGELES, June 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Electrify Expo, North America's largest electric vehicle (EV) and technology festival, today announced Electrify Weekender, an extended test drive program exclusively available to Electrify Expo attendees giving them the opportunity to extend their EV experiences beyond the gates of the festival and further familiarize themselves with EV technology building buyer confidence before making a purchase. The program kicks off with Tesla as the exclusive partner at Electrify Expo Los Angeles on June 21-22. 'Electrify Weekender gives people the freedom to experience EVs on their own terms,' said BJ Birtwell, founder and CEO of Electrify Expo. 'At our festivals, thousands of attendees get their first taste of EVs through hands-on demos, and that's often the spark that starts their journey. With Weekender, we're extending that experience into real life. Giving people more time behind the wheel builds confidence, and confidence drives adoption. This program is about breaking outdated myths, reaching new audiences and showing how EVs seamlessly fit into everyday life. My first EV experience was in a Tesla, so launching this with them feels like a full-circle moment. Now it's time for others to have that same 'light bulb' moment.' Tesla has been the industry leader delivering high-performance vehicles and innovative models. With Tesla's large role in shaping the industry, the collaboration with Electrify Weekender marks another milestone in the company's investment in EV accessibility and adoption. Attendees may sign up for the extended test drive program ahead of time or on-site at the festival. After selecting their preferred model, information is passed to the automaker who coordinates with local stores to schedule a two day driving experience. Participate in Electrify WeekenderInterested in a longer experience with an EV of your choice following your demos at Electrify Expo? Find more information about the test drive program and participating automakers near you at Electrify Expo's Remaining 2025 Tour Stops: June 21-22: Los Angeles, CA July 12-13: Seattle, WA August 23-24: San Francisco, CA September 13-14: Chicago, IL **new city October 17-19: New York, NY November 15-16: Dallas, TX **new city For the full 2025 schedule and to secure tickets, visit Media interested in attending may request credentials by emailing ee@ interested in exhibiting at the 2025 Electrify Expo locations can visit About Electrify ExpoElectrify Expo is North America's largest electric vehicle (EV) and technology festival, where consumers come to shop and experience all things electric. The festival showcases the industry's leading brands and exciting startups through hands-on activations, demos and experiences spanning EVs, micromobility, solar energy, charging solutions, powersports, automotive aftermarket, and connected home technology, providing attendees with immersive learning opportunities and memorable interactions. From high-powered demo courses to engaging education zones, Electrify Expo offers a unique festival vibe for consumers to reshape what they think they know about EVs. In 2025, Electrify Expo's nationwide tour will visit Orlando, Phoenix, Dallas, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago and New York. To stay up to date on the latest news and announcements from Electrify Expo, visit and follow on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Media ContactSkyya PRee@ An image accompanying this announcement is available at
TechCrunch
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- TechCrunch
Tesla partners with Electrify Expo to launch full-weekend EV test drives
Electrify Expo, which has spent the last five years putting on festivals across the U.S. to educate people about electric vehicles, is launching a demo experience where people can take an EV home for a weekend. The first company to partner up is Tesla, and Electrify Expo CEO BJ Birtwell says more brands will come on board in the near future. 'It's an opportunity for our attendees at Electrify Expo to have a no-pressure, non-sales-y experience with an electric vehicle on their terms, running errands and fitting this vehicle into their lives to see if it actually makes sense for them or not,' Birtwell told TechCrunch in an interview. Driving an electric vehicle for the first time can often convince people to make the jump from internal combustion engines. There's also strong demand for these kinds of experiences. Late last year, Consumer Reports found that half of all consumers in the U.S. are interested in test-driving an EV. The new 'Electrify Weekender' experience will be available to Electrify Expo attendees (who also need a driver's license and auto insurance) starting with the Los Angeles festival, which begins on June 21. Birtwell said he hopes to use the Los Angeles launch as an opportunity to iron out any problems ahead of the other festivals this year in Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and Dallas. For Tesla, the Electrify Weekender program could be a way to reach potential customers who may still be unfamiliar with or even wary of the brand — perhaps offering a boost at a time when the company's sales are flagging due to an aging lineup, increased competition, and the damage CEO Elon Musk has done to his company's image. Tesla did not respond to a request for comment about the program. Birtwell said the Electrify Weekender program is a natural extension of the kinds of EV demos his festival has been offering for years. While those demos are brief — often lasting around 8 to 10 minutes — he said they have played an important role in converting attendees into EV buyers. 'People who are buying a ticket to come to our festival are often cross-shopping a bunch of different electric cars and trucks, like they're literally coming to our event as if we are the 2.0 version of an auto mall,' he said. 'Then they're getting into all these cars and figuring out what they want to buy. So that experience alone helps people who are really loaded low in the purchase funnel to experience to to convert.' Techcrunch event Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW Car companies have long offered similar extended test drive programs, but Birtwell said those often leave interested buyers feeling pressure from their local dealership to make a purchase. He expects Electrify Expo to act as an intermediary of sorts that can blunt that pressure, while also attracting consumers who may not have ever signed up for such a test drive to begin with. Ultimately, Birtwell said he expects thousands of people will take Electrify Expo up on the offer. 'If we're going to drive broader EV adoption beyond half the population, that means we need to appeal to everybody,' he said. That means especially targeting consumers who are 'curious and skeptical about EVs.'
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Test drive electric cars for free at Hull EV event
Free test drives of electric cars are on offer at Hull and East Yorkshire's first electric vehicle (EV) experience Go Electric takes place at the Priority Park & Ride site, just off the A63, between 10:00 and 15:00 BST on Saturday 21 June. Organised by Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Let's Experience Electric, the event is part of both authorities' electric vehicle strategies, which aim to increase the number of people using councils said the event would demonstrate the growing range of cars and commercial electric vehicles along with electric buses and eBikes. Industry experts will answer questions about the latest advancements in EV technology, including charging will include electric vehicles from both local councils and emergency services, an electric bus, e-bikes and an electric truck. Councillor Paul West, cabinet member for environment and transport at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: "This event is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested to find out more about electric vehicles and all the benefits they bring."Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transportation, roads and highways at Hull City Council, said: "Making your next car an EV won't be right for everyone but the growing range of vehicles now available at different price points as well as the advancements in battery technology are making them increasingly accessible."Test drives need to be booked in advance and those taking part will need to bring a valid UK photo card driving licence and their National Insurance will also need a printed copy of their personal driving licence check and their reference code which can be created here. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
