Royal Oak — Dozens of EV owners, supporters and advocates gathered Saturday at Royal Oak’s Memorial Park for the Michigan Electric Vehicle Alliance’s Clean Cruise EV Festival, celebrating advancements in battery electric vehicle technology and green approaches to the future of the state’s auto industry.
The first-of-its-kind celebration brought together Michigan elected officials, EV industry leaders and climate advocates from across the state to promote sustainable transportation, joined by sponsors Moms Clean Air Force, Environmental Defense Fund Action, Sierra Club and Tesla Owners Club.
“The overarching theme is that EVs are here to stay, and we want to educate the public that they are not going by the wayside,” said Amy Rogghe, executive director and founder of the Michigan Electric Vehicle Alliance. “The transportation sector in Michigan is the largest contributor of greenhouse gases out of every sector. So in our state, it’s ultimately important that we decrease the greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.”
The event featured a wide range of activities centered around the environmental and health benefits of electric transportation and highlighting electric vehicles from various manufacturers. A Ride ‘n Drive experience allowed those interested to test out the vehicles and drive them up and down Woodward Avenue.
As EV technology improves year over year and sales increase, Rogghe said, Detroit needs to stay one step ahead.
“If we don’t buy in, we’re going to be left in the dust,” Rogghe said. “So we really need to buy in, not only for our state’s economy, but just to be in the global economy, to be a big piece of that market. … I mean, in Michigan, we have the Detroit Motor City, right? We need to stay at the cutting edge of auto technology, and that is what an EV is.”
“This is going to be the evolution,” said Terry Richards, who displayed his Chevy Bolt EV at the event. Richards, 67, called himself the “oldest EV owner around” and said he hopes the event reaches younger generations.
“It’s not about us, it’s about the kids,” Richards said.
Erin DeMoss, who was sitting beside Richards and owned a Tesla Model S, agreed with him. Her Tesla has been to the Grand Canyon, Pikes Peak, Mount Washington and “all around Michigan,” she said.
“When we first bought our Tesla, wherever we would go, the kids are so amazed. They’d be like, ‘Oh my God, it’s a Tesla,'” DeMoss said. “So we have all these boomers who will say, ‘No, no, it’s gas all the way.’ But you know, they’re not going to be around forever, and when you look to the kids, they’re just so excited.”
“I’ve had a lot of discussions with people that are like ‘Gasoline forever,'” Richards said. “You can’t change everyone. All you can do is change enough people to switch over to get to what you call critical mass.”
Rie Yamakawa of Novi brought along her 4-year-old son to test out several mini battery-powered children’s motorcycles and cars. His stamp of approval, she said, made all the difference.
“I just think it’s awesome that they brought all these vendors, that they’re showing all these alternatives here,” Yamakawa said. “It’s great that they’re making people aware of these new models; there are so many for someone to choose from.”
When asked if she’ll be buying one for her son, Yamakawa laughed: “I think I need to now, he won’t get off. He finished the battery on the last one, the car, and now he’s riding the motorcycle.”
Also at the event, attendees could listen in on presentations and discussions on the benefits of transitioning to electric transportation, which experts said help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve overall air quality.
Nora Naughton, communications director of the Sierra Club’s Michigan chapter, said EVs are going to be “super key” in fighting the climate crisis.
“As soon as someone interacts with an electric vehicle, they’re so much more likely to actually consider them,” Naughton said. “There’s so many different things that we can do for climate action, and this is just one leg of the stool for us. This is an individual action that you can take today. You can turn in your gas-powered car for an electric one, and I would argue that it would improve your life.”
Manufacturers demonstrated advancements in EV technology, allowing attendees to explore the vehicles up close through a showcase featuring over 60 different cars. The display even included an electric school bus and a solar vehicle designed by University of Michigan students.
Junior Julia Glasco and sophomore Evan Winters, both members of the university’s student-run UM Solar Car Team, presented their student-designed and built solar vehicle, called Astrum. The car finished fourth in the 2023 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, a 1,800-mile race across the Australian Outback, and first in the 2024 American Solar Challenge.
“I always watched the Dream Cruise growing up and it’s the best way to display what our car does for sustainability, because it kind of gets overlooked when people think it’s just a racing team,” Winters said. “But I mean, what we’re doing is moving the future of renewability forward in a way no one else really is.”
Glasco added that the group wanted younger generations to get involved in “the future of sustainability,” saying, “it gives the younger kids a chance to be a part of something that’s for the future of sustainability, a better future for all.”
The festival was closed out with an EV cruise down Woodward Avenue, with over 60 EV owners who represented more than a dozen brands driving their cars and honking for passersby.
“I’m an EV and environment advocate, I’ve always been an advocate, and I’m still an advocate,” Richards said before taking his car out for the cruise. “This is the future, it really is. It’s the evolution of the Motor City.”
The annual Woodward Dream Cruise is Aug. 16.
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