Plug’n Drive’s MEET is back to Mississauga with electric vehicle education and test drives
June 6, 2024-
June 6, 2024, Toronto, Ontario – Plug’n Drive is thrilled to announce the return of the Mobile EV Education Trailer (MEET) to Mississauga thanks to the commitment of the City of Mississauga to advance EV adoption in the region.
Running from June 6 to June 30, 2024 at the Burnhamthorpe Community Centre in Mississauga, the MEET will be open Thursday to Sunday throughout the month of June, offering a dynamic community hub for electric vehicle (EV) education and awareness.
The MEET is designed to provide visitors with comprehensive information on the environmental and economic benefits of driving electric in Canada. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with local EV Ambassadors, explore educational displays, and most excitingly, participate in test drives of the latest EV models from leading manufacturers.
“Our research shows that access to test drives is a game-changer for consumers considering making the switch to an EV” said Dav Cvitkovic, Plug’n Drive Chief Operating Officer. “Our MEET activation allows drivers to experience the performance and benefits of a wide variety of EVs firsthand in a one-stop environment. Ease of access to EVs in a non-sales environment is a pivotal factor for consumers.”
Test drives at MEET Mississauga are free and available to licensed drivers aged 21 and over. While drop-ins are welcome, visitors are encouraged to secure their preferred appointment times using the MEET Mississauga booking calendar.
Key Event Details
Presenting Sponsor: City of Mississauga
Dates: June 6 – June 30, 2024 (Thursdays to Sundays)
Location: Burnhamthorpe Community Centre, 1500 Gulleden Drive, Mississauga, ON L4X2T7
Free EV Test Drives and EV Education: MEET Mississauga booking calendar
Driver Requirements: Must be 21 years of age with a valid driver’s license
About the MEET
Plug’n Drive has been pleased to work with our many sponsors to develop, design and deliver the Mobile EV Education Trailer (MEET). Since the MEET was first launched in 2020, it has been engaging communities across Canada from British Columbia to New Brunswick.
The MEET is modeled after Plug’n Drive’s Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre located at 33 Bloor Street East in Toronto. It has interactive tools and high-quality materials to help consumers along the EV discovery journey, including information about the benefits of EVs, all the makes and models available in Canada, available incentives, and more. The MEET is staffed by brand agnostic EV experts providing experiential learning in a no-cost, no-pressure, no-sales environment. It is the perfect complement to any regional EV program or initiative and can remain active in one location for weeks or months at a time.
The MEET is a public/private partnership between government and industry:
MEET Mississauga
- Presenting Sponsor: City of Mississauga
- Partially Funded By: Natural Resources Canada, Power Workers’ Union
- MEET Champions: Bruce Power, Hydro One Networks, Ivy Charging Network, Ontario Power Generation, Scotiabank, Toronto Hydro
- MEET Catalysts: Chevrolet, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Polestar, Volvo
- MEET Enthusiast: Electrical Safety Authority
Canadian EV Fast Facts
- Presently, there are well over 700,000 electric and hybrid electric vehicles on Canadian roads and over 70 different EV models available, with more on the way at increasingly affordable prices.
- Canada has over 27,000 public chargers and is on track to greatly expand on that as governments, car manufacturers and charging network providers build out the network.
- Plug’n Drive has EV charging resources to help with public charging, home charging, charging at work, and retrofitting condos.
- In December 2023, the federal government introduced a sales mandate for 100% zero emission light duty vehicles (ZEVs) by 2035 with an incremental target of 20% by 2026.
- In Q3 2023, the market share of new ZEV registrations in Canada surged to a new all-time high of 12% according to Stats Can.
- With over 83 percent of Canada’s electricity coming from non-emitting sources (e.g., hydro, nuclear, wind, solar), the transition to electric vehicles will greatly reduce Canada’s climate-changing emissions. Light duty vehicles account for about half of Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transportation sector. The transportation sector accounts for about 25 percent of Canada’s overall GHG emissions.
- Plug’n Drive has a Find Your Match app to browse and compare vehicles, cost savings, and incentives available across Canada, including the federal $5000 incentive for the purchase of a fully electric or plug-in hybrid electric car. Driving an electric car can save you between $1,500-$2,000 per year on fuel and maintenance.
- In addition to the MEET, Plug’n Drive offers pressure-free EV education and test drives through various programs in Ontario and other jurisdictions including the Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre, the Electric Vehicle Roadshow, and the Employee Engagement Program.
- Visit the Plug’n Drive events calendar to see where other events are currently scheduled.
– 30 –
About Plug’n Drive
Plug’n Drive is a not-for-profit organization accelerating EV adoption in Canada to maximize the environmental and economic benefits of an electrified transportation sector. Our vision is to help Canada achieve its goal of 100% electric vehicle sales by 2035 or earlier. Since 2011, we have made incredible strides in our mission through a variety of consumer education programs, including the launch of the world’s first Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre (EVDC) in Toronto, the Electric Vehicle Roadshow event series as well as the Mobile EV Education Trailer (MEET). Our corporate partnerships include EV auto manufacturers, utilities, EV charger manufacturers, and others. For more information about Plug’n Drive’s programs, services, and events, visit plugndrive.ca and sign up for our newsletter. Join Plug’n Drive’s EV Owners Club. Join our community on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Alan Downward
Communications and Project Coordinator
Plug’n Drive
(647) 449-9715
