Longtime environmental advocates Ann and Farley heard about a National Drive Electric Month (NDEM) event in the Los Angeles area around this time last year. The community event celebrating “all things electric,” hosted by Third Act SoCal, seemed like a perfect opportunity to learn more about electric home upgrades.
Heading into the event, they were not planning to purchase a new car. Instead, they were looking for new home improvements involving electrification. Little did they know that the event they attended would spark a decision that changed their driving experience.
The couple first learned about NDEM after talking with their electrician about suggested home upgrades. As they began researching, their local event caught their eye because it not only focused on EV drivers but also offered a more complete picture of how to live more sustainably.
Ann and Farley were also attracted by the event’s approachability. It was clear the event was full of “ordinary people–not high class, just people living their everyday life.” The community felt comfortable, welcoming, and familiar. “We just wanted to see what was out there,” said Ann. “It wasn’t about buying a car yet.”
From the minute Ann and Farley arrived, they were surrounded by real EV drivers sharing their stories, demos, and displays. They were drawn to the electric-house exhibit, where the host spoke with them one-on-one. The conversation was open, matter-of-fact, and free of any sales pressure, which set the tone for the rest of the event. Zan Dubin Scott, co-founder of Plug In America, also welcomed the couple, and talking with her about her EV experience made ownership feel realistic. As conversations with other EV owners continued, Ann and Farley realized EV driving wasn’t just personal but achievable for anyone interested.
Ann and Farley had been leaning toward a plug-in hybrid, figuring that’s what they’d eventually take home. The turning point was the cost comparison sheets, which clearly laid out the lifetime savings for EVs, gas vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and traditional hybrids. The easily digestible data, along with conversations with EV drivers, shifted their mindset. They began to think, Why not go fully electric? After leaving the event, Ann and Farley were ready to take the next step toward bringing home a new car, specifically an electric vehicle.
They connected with a dealer, where they decided the Chevrolet Equinox EV was the vehicle for them, particularly for its price point and range.
Ann and Farley praised the EV community for helping them feel comfortable taking the leap, saying the drivers were supportive and inspiring, like everyone at the event was cheering for them. “Seeing other people who already drove EVs — it wasn’t a hard sell, just genuine experiences — that made the difference,” said the couple.
Driving electric runs deeper for them than driving a fun, future-forward car. Environmental values are deeply tied to their lifestyle, as they told us, “We want to do everything we can to make the planet a better place.” They’re also enjoying the practical side, too. Often sitting in LA traffic, the cleaner driving is allowing them to breathe more easily and safely. They also won’t miss gas stations or future maintenance costs.“The cost savings sell themself,” Ann and Farley emphasized.
The couple said their transition to EV ownership was seamless, and they are enjoying their comfortable, quiet, and smooth ride. And an added bonus? All they have to do when they jump in their EV is just say the address out loud, and their favorite feature quickly begins navigating them to their destination.
For anyone even slightly interested in a new vehicle, Ann and Farley encourage you to attend a National Drive Electric Month event this year. “Talk to real people. It’s not about sales. It’s about experiences,” they said. Hearing other people in the community share their stories is more impactful than statistics alone. The conversations showed them that EVs can be for anyone, regardless of their economic background.
Learn more about National Drive Electric Month 2026, and find an event near you at https://driveelectricmonth.org/.
