Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a not-for-profit service contract with Smart Columbus to implement the Ride & Drive Program. Smart Columbus will design an annual Ride & Drive Program to promote EV education and adoption in Central Ohio. The Ride & Drive Program will support the pursuit of the transportation goals included in the Columbus Climate Action Plan. In addition to City of Columbus support, the Ride & Drive Program will also be supported by funding from a Charging & Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.
The Smart Columbus Ride & Drive Program is planned to include up to 30 events per year across Central Ohio. A majority (15+) of the annual events will be located in the Columbus MSA. These events will be planned in partnership with the City of Columbus and other Ride & Drive Program sponsors to ensure events reach target locations and audiences, a service not presently provided by City employees.
Event Details & Audience(s):
- Public Ride & Drive experiences offered at annual community events and with an equity focus (Ex. City of Columbus Earth Day, COSI Big Science Celebration)
- Employer hosted Ride & Drive with local businesses
- Events will range from 4-8 hours
The Smart Columbus Ride & Drive Program will begin in 2025 with events concentrated in two seasons: spring and fall. Based on previous Ride & Drive Roadshow programming results (2017-2019), Smart Columbus anticipates being able to provide an EV test drive experience to at least 50 individuals per event. Several hundred individuals will be reached per event through event promotion and additional e-mobility education offerings. All Smart Columbus’ Ride & Drive Program events will feature a hands-on EV test drive experience alongside several resident education stations. The City of Columbus is invited to present e-mobility e...
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