Drive Electric Earth Month
UTK Volunteer EV Experience
Knoxville, TN
Apr 22 2025

Event Report

It was an excellent effort by the project team to reach as many students, staff, and faculty at UTK during this event! The larger event was UTK’s Earth Day event that had probably 20 different booths covering a wide variety of sustainability topics, and our booth included a large tent and a stationary Rivian R1S for show. We had four Ride & Drive vehicles stationed very close by (Chevy Bolt, Ford Lightning, Tesla Model 3, and Rivian R1T) so that those who completed the needed waiver could get to the vehicles for rides or drives. Approximately 15 volunteers helped man the booth and R&D.

Many discussions were had – almost completely with students – educating them to EVs and EVSE in general. We were also showing students that two groups are starting up at UTK – a brand-new student-centric EV Club (“Drive Electric Vols”), and an EV Owners Working Group (that is more focused in getting those that already drive to UKT with an EV involved in opportunities to advance EV education and charging opportunities on campus.

Our booth was quite busy and relatively in the center of the larger UTK Earth Day event, and the Ride & Drive was lively as well with lots of students riding in or driving an EV and learning about all their capabilities and technology.

BEST PRACTICES: Be ready with quick documents, graphics, information and takeaways to give attendees that might not stay long. Use QR codes to make it quick and easy for attendees to complete the waiver for the R&D, or to take any surveys you might be including.

LESSONS LEARNED: We had one goof in that we didn’t realize how busy the sidewalk next to our R&D area would be (next to the Student Union) and having some signs there that quickly and concisely noted “Test Ride or Drive EVs here!!” could have turned a significant number of walkers-by into EV riders or drivers. Additionally, we might have tried to do too much at the booth with general education, the R&D, an EV interest survey, and a map where attendees could suggest new places for Level 2 chargers on campus should go.

photo by: Jonathan Overly via Drive Electric TN Students from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UTK) engage volunteers at the "UTK Volunteer EV Experience" to learn about EVs, EVSE, and the formation of tow new groups at UTK - the EV car club ("Drive Electric Vols") and the UTK EV Owners Working Group - as well as the register to ride in a selection of EVs.

More photos from this event.

Event Description

We are exhibiting one EV (Rivian R1S) and will have a booth with all kinds of information about EVs and charging infrastructure in Tennessee and beyond, and will have a Ride & Drive with several EVs nearby!! Looking forward to having a variety of EVs there for students, staff and faculty to drive, ride in, or simply learn about! 

Additionally, while this event will be on the campus of the Univ. of Tennessee at Knoxville, the public is welcome to attend and ask questions, learn about EVs and EV charging, as well as enjoy riding or driving one of the available EVs.

We will also have swag or gift cards available for those who test drive or ride in EVs!

Registered Attendees

There are currently 10 attendees registered.

Owners of These Vehicles Have Registered To Attend

Registered attendees report 703,500 electric miles driven.