2024 Program Highlights

October 5, 2024: A Milestone at Sheridan Apartments

On October 5, 2024, I (Elizabeth G) had the privilege of leading my first Avanza EV Educational Event at the Sheridan Apartments. This vibrant community gathering featured:

• Delicious food from Burrito Ranchero,

• Lively music by DJ KK,

• Two electric vehicle showcases, and

• An exciting raffle that brought neighbors together in celebration.

The event received an overwhelmingly positive response, with attendees eagerly engaging in conversations about electric vehicles and their benefits.

Acknowledgments

A heartfelt thank you goes to Andy Fraser, my first point of contact with the Electric Vehicle Association of Greater Washington DC (EVA DC), and Pete Falabella, the first EVA DC volunteer to participate in our event. Pete’s real-life experiences and insights enriched the dialogue and built trust with attendees, demonstrating the power of grassroots education.

This event marked the beginning of a meaningful partnership with licensed social worker Kareem Taha, who played an essential role in delivering culturally competent and empathetic information tailored to meet the community where they are in their EV education journey.

Serving a Diverse Community

The event served a diverse audience, with a large portion of attendees being Spanish-speaking families with young children. These interactions revealed a pressing need for:

• Education on EV purchasing incentives,

• Improved access to charging infrastructure, and

• Resources to help families make informed decisions about sustainable transportation.

Impact and Next Steps

This event was more than just a gathering—it was a stepping stone toward empowering underserved communities with the knowledge and tools to embrace zero-emission transportation. By bridging the education gap, we are paving the way for greater accessibility to EV solutions.

Key Metrics:

• 200 residents reached,

• 31 interest pledges secured, demonstrating a strong community interest in sustainable transportation.

We are immensely proud of this milestone and remain inspired to build on this momentum. Thanks to your support, we are making strides toward a more equitable and sustainable future for all. Together, we can transform lives, communities, and the planet—one event at a time.

Avanza's Electric Vehicle (EV) Educational Event at Iverson Towers

Thanks to the unwavering support of our partners and stakeholders, Avanza continues advancing its mission to deploy EV chargers and provide bilingual EV education to underserved communities. Together, we are breaking barriers and driving equitable access to sustainable transportation solutions.

A Vibrant Community Gathering

On October 12, 2024, I had the honor of leading Avanza's EV Educational Event at Iverson Towers. The event was a dynamic and engaging celebration that featured:

• Informative EV discussions tailored to the unique needs of the community,

• Delicious food from Burrito Ranchero,

• Lively music by DJ KK,

• 2 electric vehicle showcases and

• An exciting raffle that brought attendees together in celebration and camaraderie.

Acknowledgments and Partnerships

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Helena Premyslov, Marketing Director at Kay Apartments, and her team for their outstanding support at all Avanza events. Your dedication and enthusiasm have been instrumental to our success—thank you for being an incredible partner every step of the way!

A special thank you to Pete Falabella, an EV volunteer from the Electric Vehicle Association of Greater Washington DC (EVA DC), for sharing his invaluable insights and real-life experiences as an EV owner. Pete's contributions sparked meaningful discussions and encouraged attendees to explore the possibilities of sustainable transportation.

Serving a Diverse and Engaged Audience

The event was a resounding success, welcoming a diverse audience that included many families from the African American community. Many attendees were Tesla owners who were proud to share their experiences and expressed excitement about Avanza's mission to establish EV charging infrastructure. Their enthusiasm reaffirmed the growing demand for sustainable living solutions in the community.

Impact and Community Interest

This event reached 275 residents and resulted in 31 interest pledges, clearly indicating the community's eagerness to embrace EVs and sustainable transportation.

Looking Ahead

This event represents another critical step toward empowering underserved communities with the education, resources, and infrastructure necessary to transition to EVs. The attendees' enthusiasm, curiosity, and engagement inspire us to continue building on this momentum.

We are deeply grateful for the continued support of stakeholders like the Maryland Energy Administration, the GM Foundation, and others who make this vital work possible. Together, we are paving the way for a greener, more equitable future, one community at a time.

Avanza's Electric Vehicles (EV) Educational Event at Village Square Apartments

Thanks to your continued support, our mission to drive EV education forward thrives! 

On October 19, 2024, I had the privilege of leading Avanza's EV Educational Event at the Village Square Apartments. The event brought the community together with a combination of delicious food from Burrito Ranchero, lively music by DJ KK, 3 electric vehicle showcases, and an exciting raffle.

The highlight of the day was the community’s enthusiastic participation in engaging conversations about electric vehicles. Residents embraced the opportunity to learn about EVs and their many benefits.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to our EV volunteers, Scott Wilson and Andy Fraser, from the Electric Vehicle Association of Greater Washington DC (EVA DC), who generously shared their expertise and real-life experiences. Their insights helped demystify EV technology and inspire attendees to consider sustainable transportation options.

Our outreach successfully connected with a diverse audience, including a significant number of Spanish-speaking families with young children, emphasizing the importance of inclusive community engagement. 

Interestingly, most attendees expressing interest in EVs were between 30 and 45 years old, many of whom were learning about EVs for the first time.

This event had a profound impact, reaching 278 residents and securing 23 interest pledges, a clear indicator of the community’s growing interest in sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation solutions.

Thank you to our community partners for enabling us to create meaningful connections and drive impactful conversations. Together, we’re not only educating but empowering communities to embrace a cleaner and more sustainable future.

Avanza's Electric Vehicles (EV) Educational Event at Northwest Park Apartments

As the warm weather faded, our mission to empower underserved communities through EV education remained stronger than ever—thanks to the support of organizations like the Maryland Energy Administration, the GM Foundation, and all of you who make these events possible.

On November 2, 2024, I had the honor of leading Avanza's EV Educational Event at the Northwest Park Apartments. The event was a celebration of community and learning, featuring delicious food from Burrito Ranchero, lively music by DJ KK, four electric vehicle showcases, and an exciting raffle that brought neighbors together.

The highlight of the event was the active engagement of attendees, who warmly embraced the opportunity to learn about electric vehicles. A heartfelt thank you to Pete Falabella, Scott Wilson, and Andy Fraser from the Electric Vehicle Association of Greater Washington DC (EVA DC) for their invaluable contributions. Their expertise and personal experiences brought EV technology to life for the community and inspired meaningful conversations.

This event was particularly impactful as it engaged the most diverse and largest audience Avanza connected with in2024. The majority of attendees showing interest in EVs were parents with young children, who were curious and fascinated by EV features. Questions ranged from "How do the engines work if they don’t have the same components as gasoline vehicles?" What prevents the engine from overheating? to "Does it require oil change?", and many were drawn to the modern and attractive designs of the vehicles on display.

Results at a Glance:

• 342 residents engaged, representing a vibrant and diverse community.

• 40 interest pledges secured, signaling a strong commitment to exploring EV adoption.

These numbers highlight the growing awareness and enthusiasm for sustainable transportation within underserved communities.

Acknowledgments

This event would not have been possible without the generous support of stakeholders like the Maryland Energy Administration, the GM Foundation, and our dedicated partners. Your contributions are helping to break barriers, create opportunities, and inspire communities to embrace the future of transportation.

As we look ahead, we are excited to build on this momentum and continue bridging the gap in EV education for underserved communities. Together, we are driving change—one community, one event, and one pledge at a time.