The Recharge St. James EV Ride & Drive event was free and open to the public. It was held on Saturday, May 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at St. James Middle & High School in St. James, Minnesota.

The ride-and-drive event was an education- and experience-focused community event that included EV test drives, EV showcase vehicles, e-bikes available to test ride, food from a local food truck, a refurbished bicycle giveaway, and a variety of exhibitors from local businesses and organizations.

The first test drives of the day began at 11:00 am. Registration took place in the southwest corner of the event footprint. Mankato Motors provided one test ride vehicle and one showcase vehicle. Local and regional EV owners supplied additional test ride vehicles. A total of three vehicles were available for the test drive experience. Four vehicles were available as showcase vehicles, including those on display from Riverland Community College and the City of St. James Water Department. Jalo Hardware, a local dealer, had five e-bikes available for test rides. After the test drive experience, attendees received an email survey and were asked to complete a post-test drive survey. 

Exhibitors included local, regional, and statewide organizations, like Climate Smart St. James, ECO Ambassadors, Region 9 Development Commission, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Watonwan County Public Library, and the Watonwan County Humane Society. The City of St. James also exhibited in collaboration with the Knights of Columbus, who hosted a free, refurbished bicycle giveaway during the event. Local hardware store, Fleet and Farm, demoed electric tools and equipment, including an electric lawnmower.

Every test drive experience and completed exhibitor passport earned a charitable donation for Climate Smart St. James. A total of $10,000 was donated to the nonprofit group.