About two dozen different models of electric vehicles (EV) were on display during a recent National Drive Electric Week event, demonstrating to enthusiasts and curious onlookers that the market has matured to the point were there’s an EV to suit any taste or budget.
Hosted by one of the rising stars of South Florida’s emerging electric vehicle community, Cutler Bay resident Alejandro Burgana, CEO of Brickell Energy, the event also served to underscore the clean-air benefits and cost-savings of electric vehicles.
“The rise of zero-emission electric vehicles is upon us and the accelerating shift away from internal combustion engine (ICE) cars is well underway,” Burgana said. The event took place on Sept. 13 at the CIC Miami shared workspace and labs in West Wynwood.
Part of the fifth annual National Drive Electric Week, the event also featured a robust panel discussion with experts including Natalia Neira of the Southeast Florida Clean Cities Coalition; Flavia Tonioli, Sustainability Manager-City of Miami Beach; Simon Rose, Ambassador of NextCarPledge; Melissa Hew, Resilience and Sustainability Manager, City of Miami, and Alejandro Burgana, CEO of Brickell Energy, who provided an overview of the EV charging infrastructure his company offers.
This event was one of more than 280 across the country and around the world where electric vehicle owners and their neighbors similarly held hands-on EV car shows, recognition of leaders promoting EVs, and other public events.
Miami attendees had the opportunity to touch, feel, and interact with a sampling of EVs, from Nissan, Mercedes-Benz/Smart, Chevrolet, BMW, Tesla, Ford, Audi, Fiat, Mitsubishi, AEV, and more. Guests also mingled among several info kiosks to learn about:
• NGOs supporting clean transportation and renewable energy initiatives;
• Local municipalities describing EV policy initiatives;
• EV owners sharing why they will never go back to gas-mobiles, and
• EV charging infrastructure experts describing programs to accelerate charging capacity.
According to Burgana, Floridians are evolving to cleaner and more efficient transportation means, making the Sunshine State the fourth largest market for electric vehicles with double digit growth rate.
“That’s why Brickell Energy is committed to offering the compelling, smart, conveniently located and affordable solutions in the market facilitating the adoption of charging stations for host, station owners, fleet managers and EV drivers all across Florida,” he added.
Brickell Energy is organizing the Miami effort in cooperation with national organizers Plug In America, Sierra Club, and Electric Auto Association. The Nissan LEAF is the exclusive national automotive sponsor. For a complete list of National Drive Electric Week events, visit www.driveelectricweek.org.
National Drive Electric Week Miami happens in tandem with Venture Café Miami‘s dynamic Thursday Gathering, where attendees are welcome to mingle at both events. Venture Café is located at CIC Miami, a unique co-working office and lab space with robust programming, advising, and community-building initiatives.
Brickell Energy is committed to creating smart solutions to the growing demand of charging stations for EVs. Passionate about EVs and their progressive disruption in our commuting methods, they couple the best technology in the market from ChargePoint with the most sophisticated financial tools for its clients. Call 305-546-5407 or visit www.brickellenergy.com.
