Wednesday is electric vehicle car day in Salem as Drive Oregon brings five affordable electric vehicles to the steps of the state capital.
Drive Oregon will offer elected officials, staff and the public the opportunity to test drive electrical vehicles available for lease in Oregon for roughly $150 to $250 per month.
Ride & Drive will feature the EV versions of the Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Spark, Honda Fit and Fiat 500e. A Ford Focus may be available as well.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the drive circle in front of the state Capitol building. It is free.
Jeff Allen, executive director of Drive Oregon, called the event an opportunity to dispel the leading myth about electric vehicles — that they're too expensive for ordinary budgets, as exemplified by high-end models from Tesla, BMW and the like.
The electric vehicles on hand in Salem start at $17,500 and top out at a little more than $30,000. Most are available for lease in Oregon.
The event coincides with the release of a report slated for release Wednesday morning that will show the Electric vehicles already on the road in Oregon contribute more than $10 million annually to the state economy in fuel savings for drivers.
Drive Oregon promotes innovation in electric mobility in the state and organizes the annual EV Roadmap conference, to be held this year July 29 and 30 at the World Trade Center in Portland.