Midwest EVOLVE Aims To Boost Electric Vehicles In North Dakota

Media contact: Robert Moffitt (651) 269-7561 (cell) or robert.moffitt@lung.org<mailto:robert.moffitt@lung.org>
Midwest EVOLVE Aims To Boost Electric Vehicles In North Dakota
CHICAGO - (February, 9, 2017) --- North Dakota is one of seven states that will see more educational and demonstration events on electric vehicles, thanks to a program announced today at the Chicago Auto Show. Midwest EVOLVE (Midwest Electric Vehicle Opportunities: Learning, eVents, Experience), is a three-year program that promotes and demonstrates electric vehicles through "ride and drive" events, workplace charging seminars and training programs for auto dealers. The program website is  www.MidwestEVOLVE.org<http://www.MidwestEVOLVE.org>.
The project is overseen by the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest, which maintains offices in Bismarck, Duluth and Saint Paul.  It is a partnership between eight U.S. Depart. Of Energy Clean Cities coalitions in seven Midwestern states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
"We're very pleased to participate in the Midwest EVOLVE project," said Robert Moffitt, coordinator of North Dakota Clean Cities. "North Dakota has just begun to see electric vehicles in dealerships and on local roads, and many people have questions about them. The goal of project is to give people a chance to see this vehicles, or perhaps even ride or drive one. We will answer questions, encourage workplaces to add charging stations for employees and visitors, and help auto dealers and sales staff understand these new vehicles are fun to drive and save on fuel and repairs."
Some of the local organizations that have expressed support for the Midwest EVOLVE project include the Element Fargo hotel; North Dakota Alliance for Renewable Energy, the Sustainable Power Electronics and Electric Drive Lab at NDSU, and Sanford Medical Center.
The Midwest EVOLVE program is partly funded via an award from the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, under Award Number DE-EE0007743. The American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest oversees the program. The project also has several automotive partners, including Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Nissan, as well as more than 60 other partners throughout the Midwest.  The partners support the project through donations, providing vehicles for test drives, and in-kind support.
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