Plug In America

Plug In America

Founded	August 24, 2005
Type	501(c)(3)
Focus	Plug-in electric vehicles
Key people	Tonia Buell, President Joel Levin, Executive Director
Website	http://www.pluginamerica.org/

Plug In America(PIA) is a501(c)(3)non-profiteducational organization that promotes and advocates the use ofplug-in cars,trucks andsports utility vehicles(SUVs) powered by domestic andrenewable electricitywhich it claims will help reduce dependence onfossil fuels,improve the global environment and reducegreenhouse gasesandclimate change.

PIA advocates the development ofplug-in hybrid electric vehicles,battery electric vehicles,and other vehicles which use electricity, from thepower gridor from electricity-generating devices such assolar cells,as a substantial source of motive energy.

History

Plug In America was founded by a group ofelectric vehicleadvocates that earlier formed DontCrush.com, a coalition organized to stop automobile manufacturers from destroying electric vehicles at the end of their lease. Because of DontCrush.com's previous success in preventing the destruction ofToyotaandFordelectric car models, and exposingGeneral Motors' decision to discontinue its plug-in hybrid, the group hoped to strengthen its cause for plug-in vehicles by forming PIA.

The filmWho Killed the Electric Car?documented the actions of Plug In America's founders and brought increased attention to the subject. Following this, Plug In America officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2008.

In 2009, supporters of Plug In America emailed more than 50,000 letters to members of Congress, resulting in the $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicle purchases being included in theAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

In 2011, Plug In America partnered with theSierra ClubandElectric Auto Associationto create the first National Plug-In Day, which included events promoting electric vehicles across the United States. The annual event has since grown to National Drive Electric Week.

After eight years of being primarily volunteer-run, in 2015, Plug In America hired its first executive director, Joel Levin. Since that time, the organization has grown to include eleven additional staff members as of April 2022.

The organization's mission is to drive change to accelerate the shift to plug-in vehicles powered by clean, affordable, domestic electricity to reduce our nation's dependence onpetroleum,improve air quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Programs

Plug In America helps consumers, policy-makers, auto manufacturers and others to understand the benefits of driving electric vehicles. It provides practical, objective information to help consumers select the best plug-in vehicle for their lifestyles and needs.

The organization orchestrates electric car test drives and ride-alongs in communities around the country. Plug In America partners with theSierra ClubandElectric Auto Associationfor National Drive Electric Week, held annually each September. The 2018 National Drive Electric Week included more than 185,000 attendees across 321 events in all 50 states, plus Canada and New Zealand. National Drive Electric Week events include ride-and-drives, car showcases, parades, press conferences, and speeches from elected officials.

For 2019, in addition to the fall National Drive Electric Week, the group is launching an annual Drive Electric Earth Day (DEED) in April, which also incorporatesEarth Dayevents in the U.S.,Canada,and other countries.

In 2017, Plug In America partnered with the Department of Energy to hold ride-and-drive events in theNortheast,Georgia,San Diego,and other communities across America.The group also conducts ride-and-drive events in thegreater Los Angeles areathrough partnerships withSouthern California EdisonandLos Angeles Department of Water and Power.

Plug In America advocates for policies that promote electric vehicles at the federal and state levels, including extending the federal EV tax credit, expanding California's zero-emission vehicles mandates to more states, increasing access to charging infrastructure, access to HOV lanes, and registration incentives.In 2017, Plug In America supporters sent letters and made calls to Congress to save the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. Also, in 2017, they promoted EV legislation in states including California,Colorado,Connecticut,Georgia,Maine,Maryland,Massachusetts,New Jersey,Oregon,Pennsylvania,andWashington.They host an annual EV ride-and-drive for U.S. senators to give lawmakers the opportunity to experience electric vehicles.In June 2018, the group released the AchiEVe toolkit of policies promoting EV adoption for state and local governments.

The organization developedPlugStar,a program that improves the EV purchase experience. Plug In America provides training for automotive dealers on various aspects of EV ownership, including government incentives for EVs, utility rates and programs, and emerging best practices in EV sales, to better assist consumers considering an electric vehicle. Pilot programs to train automotive dealers were launched in San Diego andBostonin 2017, followed by programs in Los Angeles andSacramento.Additionally, the PlugStar online tools provide consumers with vehicle comparisons, information on charging equipment, tax credits and other incentives, and options to contact PlugStar-certified dealers.

In 2018, the organization presented the first annual Drive Electric Awards to individuals and organizations that have contributed to the EV movement.

In 2019, the organization launched an EV Support Program to provide current and potential EV drivers with one-on-one assistance.

See also

• CalCars
• Government incentives for plug-in electric vehicles
• List of modern production plug-in electric vehicles
• Plug-in electric vehicles in the United States
• RechargeIT
• Who Killed the Electric Car?(documentary)

External links

• Plug In America
• Drive Electric Earth Day
• National Drive Electric Week
• PlugStar
• CalCars
• Electric Auto Association
• Plug-In Partners
• [1]
• Plug-in Vehicle Tracker-electric vehiclesavailable now, as "Cars & Trucks" or "2 &3 Wheel Vehicles"listing" Make, Model & Type "," Features "(including price, speed, range)," Status "(including where available), plus pictures.