Test drive an electric car at Niagara Power Vista

Free rides to show visitors benefits of electric transportation

Ever wonder what it’s like to drive an electric car? The New York Power Authority invites readers to come to the Niagara Power Vista on Saturday, Aug. 24, and find out.

The first-time Electric Vehicle Ride & Drive event will feature a wide variety of electric cars (EVs) including the new Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model S, Chevrolet Volt, and electric cars manufactured by Mitsubishi and Nissan. Drivers, who must register in advance, will be able to take a turn behind the wheel between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

“The Power Authority wants to show more New Yorkers that zero-emission electric vehicles are affordable, accessible and fun to drive, and they’ll be able to travel across the state without having to worry about recharging,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA’s president and CEO. “Getting more electric vehicles on the road will improve the environment and help the state achieve its clean energy goals.”

The Aug. 24 event will include EV charging station displays and demonstrations. EV experts will be on hand to discuss methods of charging EVs at home, work and in public.

Increasing the use of electric vehicles supports Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's “Green New Deal,” a nation-leading clean energy agenda that puts New York on a path to carbon-free electricity by 2040.

A press release said, “Electric transportation is a critical climate solution, and is a key strategy in NYPA’s sustainability plan. Transportation accounts for approximately 40% of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, with passenger vehicles contributing the majority of those emissions.”

The Electric Vehicle Ride & Drive event is sponsored by NYPA and managed by the California-based firm Electric Car Insider, which specializes in EV education and resource guides. This event is designed to provide people an opportunity to get behind the wheel and experience electric vehicles for themselves.

New York state is making it easier for consumers to choose electric vehicles by offering a $2,000 Drive Clean rebate for the purchase or lease of a battery electric or new plug-in hybrid car from participating new car dealers.

As part of its EVolve NY program, NYPA has committed up to $250 million through 2025 to aggressively accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles across New York. A fast-charging network will deploy charging sites at approximate 40-50 mile intervals on key travel corridors, a 10-charger hub at JFK Airport, and charging stations in Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, Albany and Syracuse.

Space for the Electric Vehicle Ride & Drive event is limited and advance registration is required. RSVP at ElectricCarGuestDrive.com/lewiston.

About the Niagara Power Vista

The Niagara Power Vista is a free hands-on science playground at the Niagara Power Project with more than 50 state-of-the-art interactive exhibits. Operated by the New York Power Authority, the visitor center is designed for inquisitive minds of all ages with special emphasis on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) concepts and careers. Visitors can experience a virtual rollercoaster, build a dam, operate a power plant, run the state grid, watch digital portraits of Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison debate the benefits of alternating and direct current, and enjoy 350-foot-high views from an observation deck above the Niagara River.

The Power Vista is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, excluding some holidays, with free parking. It is located at 5777 Lewiston Road (Route 104) in Lewiston. For more information, call 716-286-6661 or visit www.nypa.gov/vc/niagara.htm.