Explore Electric Vehicles at Winneshiek County Fairgrounds

Have you ever wondered how much you could save with an electric vehicle, or how green they really are? How about what dealers carry them, and what current owners think?

This Saturday, June 2nd is your chance to explore and learn about electric vehicles (EVs), at Fest(EV)al. From 11a.m. to 3p.m. at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds, attendees will find new electric vehicles and dealer reps, plus used cars accompanied by their owners.

Electric vehicle models from Chevy, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Tesla, and more will be present at the electric vehicle expo. A series of short informational talks, kids activities and a brat fry and Moo-mobile will make the Fest(EV)al a truly family-friendly event.

Fest(EV)al: Northeast Iowa’s Premier Electric Vehicle Festival is brought to you by the Winneshiek Energy District, KAR Auto Group, Decorah Bank and Trust, KDEC, and many more supportive dealers, partners, and local EV owners.

Principal event sponsor KAR Auto Group is the first dealership in Northeast Iowa to have their mechanics certified to work on electric vehicles (EVs). They have hybrid and all-electric vehicles available on their lot and are bringing several models to showcase at the Fest(EV)al expo. KAR auto group consists of Decorah Chevrolet Cadillac, Decorah Auto Center, Blackhawk Motors, and Albertson Auto Center. Also attending is Honda MoterWerks from LaCrosse.

The dealer showcase of new EVs inside the Danan Lansing building will be paired with a showcase of locally-owned EVs outside. Up to a dozen local electric vehicle owners will showcase plug-in vehicles, and be available to answer all your pressing questions about what life is really like as an EV owner.

Julie Fisher will be showing her 2013 Chevy Volt, a plugin hybrid vehicle.

“We’re excited about having an electric vehicle and would encourage more people to have them,” said Fisher. “For things we do in town, we don’t use any gas at all. We probably fill our gas tank every six weeks or so…and it’s a very smooth running, quiet car.”

The Fishers have solar panels on their roof at home that sometimes produces more electricity than needed. “Our car gives us good use of our panels. The electricity we don’t use in the house we can use for our vehicle”

WORKSHOPS!

• Northeast Iowa Community College will be present to talk about their auto program that teaches students about electric vehicle safety.
• Luther College’s Center for Sustainable Communities will host a workshop talking about Luther’s decision to go electric with the institutional fleet.
•  EVs: a growing industry
• Going Green with your Car
• The Dollars and cents of EVs
• EVs for institutions, and more.

“Electric vehicles fit perfectly within the Energy District mission of ‘green meets green’” says Winneshiek Energy District Director Andy Johnson.They help keep energy dollars local (one green) through greater efficiency and by harnessing locally-owned generation. And they protect the environment for our kids (another green) because electricity is a cleaner fuel than gasoline, and it is getting even cleaner as wind and solar grow.”

KIDS Activities and FOOD

There will be activities for all ages including creating solar cars and learning about the history of electric vehicles through an interactive history timeline. The Decorah Rotary is hosting a brat fry at the Fest(EV)al and and the Washington Prairie Peppers 4H club will operate the Moo-Mobile milkshake stand.

“Whether you’re a car enthusiast, green living guru or a family in need of a Saturday activity, there’s something interesting for you at this event,” says event coordinator Kristin Eggen.

The event was made possible through local principal sponsors KAR Auto Group, 100.5 FM KDEC, Decorah Bank and Trust, and participating exhibitors.

For more information and a list of workshop topics, visit energydistrict.org/festeval/