Plug-In NCW’s EV Line Up champions electric vehicle adoption in North Central Washington

WENATCHEE – On October 2, Plug-In North Central Washington (Plug-In NCW) hosted its second annual 'EV Line Up' at Rocky Reach Dam Park, as part of National Drive Electric Week, which ran from September 27 to October 6 this year. Sponsored by the National Electric Auto Association, the event aimed to educate the public about the environmental benefits, cost savings, and latest advancements in electric vehicles (EVs).

The EV Line Up, according to the chairman of Plug-In NCW’s board, Randy Brooks of Chelan, is “an opportunity for the NCW community to see a variety of EVs and ask questions about driving electric.” Brooks, who has been involved with the organization since 2005, continued: “We try to gather as many EV makes and models as possible to showcase them, make their owners available to the public for questions about driving an EV in North Central Washington (NCW), and build interest in electric vehicles more broadly.”

Plug-In NCW aims to build interest in electric vehicles, advocate for the electrification of all transportation, educate the public on EV benefits, and coordinate the installation of free fast-charging stations across NCW. The non-profit was established as a subsidiary of the North Central Washington Economic Development District, a federally designated economic development district, and 501(c)(3) corporation serving the NCW region covering Okanogan, Douglas, and Chelan counties and the Colville Confederated Tribes.

In addition to the Line Up at Rocky Reach, the organization regularly hosts other EV-centered events, such as those at the Chelan County Fair and Earth Day celebrations in Leavenworth, Wenatchee, and Chelan. These events aim to engage both current EV drivers and those interested in making the switch.

One of about a dozen regularly active members of Plug-In NCW, David Morgan, describes the group’s mission as “promoting the electrification of almost anything that has an internal combustion engine, including everything from bikes and cars to buses and agricultural equipment to lawnmowers and chainsaws. We even post stories [on our website] about electric boats and plane technology.”

“Another key thing we do is help to install electric chargers,” explained Morgan. “With a grant the organization obtained several years ago, we installed [twenty-two] stations, including several in greater Leavenworth, including three at Sleeping Lady, another at the 59er Diner at Coles Corner. Today, with nearly 900 new chargers installed weekly in the U.S. and with rapid advancements in battery technology, the electric vehicle landscape has evolved dramatically since Plug-In NCW was founded. Here in NCW, fast chargers—such as those at Safeway and Tesla Superchargers by Dan’s—have been installed, expanding the charging network, and reducing ‘range anxiety.’”

Morgan continued: “For those who don’t own an electric car and think to themselves when contemplating one, “I don't see many charging stations,” remember that unlike a gas station with a big canopy and a line of cars coming and going, most of the time, EV stations have minimal infrastructure. Most of the time, they’re not as visible, but they’re available when you need them. In Wenatchee alone, for example, there are more than 50 charging stations. [EV charging] in the last decade has really become akin to the difference between a flip phone and a smartphone.” 

“I think we have largely helped to normalize the use of electric vehicles in North Central Washington,” concluded Morgan. “Through our outreach, I think the local public has become much more educated. And in a region like NCW, where electricity is both inexpensive and largely renewable, our carbon footprint is already lower than average. By reducing the number of gas cars, we can lower it even further, leading to cleaner air, a healthier environment, and save people a bunch of money.”

For more information on Plug-In NCW, visit their website: pluginncw.com

Caroline Menna is an intern for Ward Media and a senior at Cascade High School. She serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Cascade High School Publications Group.