The City of Alexandria announced on Apr. 3 that it will hold an Electric Vehicle (EV) Ride and Drive and Showcase event on Saturday, April 11, at Chinquapin Park Field. The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering residents the chance to test drive EVs from local Hyundai, Nissan, Ford, Honda, and Rivian dealerships.
The initiative aims to introduce more community members to electric vehicles as part of Earth Month activities. According to the city’s announcement, “EVs have no tailpipe emissions, which means less air pollution in our neighborhoods and a smaller carbon footprint for our community.” Organizers also say that electric vehicles are generally less expensive to fuel and operate than gasoline cars.
In addition to dealership test drives—including pre-booked Rivian experiences—local EV owners will be present with their own vehicles. They will answer questions about charging options, driving range, and share insights about transitioning from traditional cars. For those who do not drive cars but are interested in sustainable transportation options, micromobility choices such as electric bikes or scooters will be available for trial through Eco-City Business Handy Bikes and the city’s micromobility operators.
Alexandria offers services for residents within its boundaries as an independent city according to the official website. The city operates under a council-manager form of government where the City Council selects a manager responsible for operations according to the official website.
The city’s approach includes efforts toward sustainability through Eco-City Alexandria—a collaborative strategy designed “to harmonize their natural resources and environmental assets with existing policies” while involving community input in decision-making processes. Additionally, Alexandria incorporates racial and social equity into its policies for fair outcomes per the official website, maintains museums documenting African American heritage as noted on the official website, enhances identity by interpreting local history per the official website, and supports archaeological research through partnerships with various organizations according to the official website.
Further details about vehicle eligibility requirements or accessibility accommodations can be found at alexandriava.gov/energy/electric-vehicles or by contacting Amy Posner at amy.posner@alexandriava.gov.
