Latest news with #ElectrifyWeekender
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
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 convert.' 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 up Electrify Expo 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.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- 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
Business Upturn
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Business Upturn
Tesla To Offer Extended EV Test Drive Experiences Via Electrify Expos' Weekender Program
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 Weekender Interested 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 [email protected] . Companies interested in exhibiting at the 2025 Electrify Expo locations can visit . About Electrify Expo Electrify 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 PR [email protected]
