Schenectady holds sustainability fair highlighting electric vehicles

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The annual NY Capital District Drive Electric Week and Sustainability Fair was held on Sunday outside Schenectady City Hall on Liberty Street. The event took place during National Drive Electric Week and is hosted in partnership with the NY Capital District Electric Vehicle Association, Lynkwell, and the Schenectady Greenmarket. 

The fair included nearly 100 personally-owned electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, as well as driving opportunities allowed by local electric car and hybrid dealerships: McGovern Genesis, McGovern Volvo Cars Albany, Nissan, Rivian, and Tesla Latham.

This year, Schenectady was the winner of Plug in America's Drive Electric Award for 2024, according to Kate Kruk, the President of the NY Capital District Electric Vehicle Association and a National Electric Vehicle Board Member. The award acknowledges the city as a leader in the electric car movement and one that takes certain measures to increase the use of electric vehicles. Schenectady was also named the EV City of the Year in 2022 by the Electric Vehicle Association, Kruk noted.

According to organizers, the fair is on track to be number one in the country again this year for registered attendees and electric vehicles. Kruk said in 2022 and 2023, Schenectady held the largest National Drive Electric Week event in the United States. 

According to Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara, Schenectady has been implementing electric cars for use in the city for a while.

"We have made a significant investment in making the infrastructure available. So if you look around here and look throughout the city, you do see the charging stations," Santabarbara said.

Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy said that city officials committed to making this an option for drivers.

"Schenectady is the leader in that, we want to educate people, build their comfort level, and have them be able to take advantage of some of the changes in technology," McCarthy said.

Aaron Mair, the Adirondack Campaign Director of the Adirondack Council, was at the event to let those in attendance know about the positive environmental impacts using electric cars can have.

"So, whether we want to or not, we have to make a change," Mair said. "So why not, as taxpayers, invest in infrastructure, lower our, as I say, our carbon footprint, but at the same time reduce the strain on our budgets and our pockets. Were talking about inflation, this is something you could have an impact on right now to reduce your cause."

McCarthy also proclaimed October 6th as Electric Vehicle Day in the City of Schenectady.