Learn how to save money on gas at US Drive Electric Month events, all Sept.

National Drive Electric Month runs through September (with some events into October), bringing more than 150 online and in-person gatherings across most states and one in Canada. The events, now in their 16th year, are organized by groups including Plug In America, the Electric Vehicle Association, EVHybridNoire, Drive Electric USA, and the Sierra Club. They give homeowners thinking about an electric car a chance to talk directly with EV owners, sit in different models, and sometimes take test drives, without the sales pressure of a dealership.

Events vary widely in size and style, from small parking-lot meetups to large festivals with food, music, and dozens of vehicles on display. Some focus on specific angles homeowners may find useful, like how EVs can provide backup power during outages, or how charging at home ties into off-peak electricity rates and rebates. A few sessions are online webinars covering EV ownership, charging, and getting money back through incentives, useful if there's no event nearby.

To find something local, you can search a map and event list at driveelectricmonth.org, then check each event's page for times, what cars will be there, and how to register or RSVP. If you're weighing whether an EV makes sense for your household, these events are a low-pressure way to ask real owners about range, charging at home, costs, and rebates before making a decision.