St. Armands To Host Inaugural Electric Vehicle Expo

Sunday will be an electrifying day in Sarasota as the city's first-ever Electric Vehicle expo kicks off.

The festivities start at 10 a.m. at Selby Five Points Park where a ceremony will be held along with a proclamation for National Plug in Day, which heightens awareness of the benefits of driving electric cars. Then a parade of electric cars will lead to St. Armands Circle for the expo itself called Electrify The Circle.

“The City of Sarasota embraced renewable energy and electric vehicles years ago and we’re proud to be part of this national event,” Mayor Suzanne Atwell said.  “Sustainability and renewable energy are part of our everyday business plan whether it’s having two EVs in the city fleet or adding electric charging stations around the city for public use. Electric vehicles are gaining in popularity, and I’m looking forward to seeing a long line parading over the Ringling Bridge to St. Armands.”

The event is hosted by the City of Sarasota, Sarasota County Government, Sierra Club, Plug in America and the Electric Vehicle Association. City officials tout that this wil be the largest electric car event ever held on the Suncoast.

The St. Armands events are scheduled to take place form 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday where electric cars will be on display, ride-n-drive opportunities, live music and the electric roadster Tesla Model S will play a starring role.

The Met Fashion House, will host a private Tesla Fisker cocktail party with Agave Denim on Saturday as well.

Have an electric car? You can be a part of the parade by registering your EV with Larry Chanin via email: lfchanin@verizon.net

Electric vehicle dealers, including Gettel Nissan, Sunset Chevy, Sarasota Mitsubishi, Elder Fisker Tampa and Tesla Dania Beach, will host ride-n-drive opportunities for the public at the St. Armands South Parking Lot.

Schedule of events:

• 10 a.m.:  National Plug in Day Proclamation  –  Selby Five Points Park
• 10:15 a.m.:  Recognition Ceremony  –  Selby Five Points Park
• 10:30 a.m.:  Silent parade  –  Selby Five Points Park to St. Armands Circle
• 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. –  ‘Electrify the Circle’ Expo  –  St. Armands Circle

The city installed five electric car charging stations recently at Bayfront Park, and the St. Armands South Parking Lot.  Four EV charging stations also are located on the first floor in the Palm Avenue Parking Garage. 

As politicians and the automotive industry are keying in on cutting oil dependence, progress is being made to do so, along with creating jobs, with new mass produced electric cars on car lots. The Chevy Volt, Nissan LEAF, Mitsubishi MiEV and Fisker Karma are some of the cars that are going mainstream for folks of various income levels.

“Electric vehicles have enabled millions of miles of cleaner, oil-free driving which reduces our community dependence on oil and improves our air quality,” said Britten Cleveland, regional representative for the Sierra Club and co-organizer of the Sarasota event.  “The Sierra Club is thrilled to be working with local government officials and EV enthusiasts to promote this exciting technology.”

National Plug in Day features 60 events across the country to draw attention to the electric car and its environmental benefits.

“Awareness is key,” said Ken Stokes, City Captain and co-organizer of the Sarasota event.  “We’d like to create awareness about what these cars can do in their efficiency, practicality and their economy.  And, people will be able to learn about all these facets at the event.” 

FPL will be on-site educating guests attendees on the "value of electric vehicles and how to be more energy efficient in their everyday lives," according to an FPL spokeswoman.

Electric Car Coverage On Patch

• City Installs 5 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
• Electric Bikes in Sarasota Are On A Roll
• Electric Porsche Can Be Yours If You Build It
• Map: Electric Car Charging Stations
• Suncoast Electric Vehicles
• Free Rides to the Beach on Siesta Key