▶️ Mobile showcase allows the community to test drive electric cars, e-bikes

Start the engines… but remember the planet.

That was the goal of Saturday’s Forth Mobile Expo, hosted by the Bend Environmental Center and Forth, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing people with equal access to electric transportation.

People were invited to come and test drive electric cars and bikes for free to learn about greener ways to get around.

Head of the Forth program J. Ar. Anderson said it was the best-attended event of the summer. By noon, about 100 people had visited.

“I think what surprised me the most was the interest in e-bikes,” he said. “Not all of us need cars. We’re learning that as we get older, climate change is happening, the traffic in many cities is crazy, so let’s figure out a better way to do this, let’s work together and try to save the planet.”

They had a Chevy Bolt and a Volkswagen ID.4 to test drive, along with several motorcycles.

“I think people are starting to realize that in organizations like Forth, which are not about brands, you can learn about the car, you can get in the car and drive the car, but you don’t have any sales pressure,” he added. Anderson. .

The event was part of the Green Tour, a larger event in Bend and Redmond that shared solutions to reduce energy use and increase solar production in homes and commercial buildings.

The Green Tour last took place in Central Oregon in 2019.

“I hope the green tour will inspire people to realize that there are many different ways to make their buildings and homes more energy efficient, and to just think about contributing to a sustainable society through living situations,” said an employee of the Environmental Protection Center. Directed by Lauren Williams. “Whether you’re a renter or an owner, there are lots of things, big and small, that you can do to make a difference. Our buildings in Bend use a lot of energy, so we hope this event motivates people to change their home.”

For more information about the Environmental Center, you can visit their website at envirocenter.org.