Take Charge – Ride & Drive Event Brings Clean Mobility to East Los Angeles
On September 20, 2025, the Take Charge initiative hosted a Ride & Drive event at Coyolxauhqui Plaza in East Los Angeles, drawing more than 100 residents, community partners, and clean mobility advocates. The event gave participants the opportunity to experience electric vehicles (EVs) firsthand, learn about incentives and rebates, and share input on where chargers are most needed in their neighborhoods.
The event exceeded expectations with 15+ community partners tabling, offering resources, demonstrations, and educational activities. Highlights included test drives, bilingual outreach materials, a showcase of electric classic cars, and interactive surveys that collected valuable feedback on EV ownership barriers and charging access.
Community Feedback and Impact
Participants expressed enthusiasm for EV adoption and emphasized the need for accessible charging close to home and work. Surveys collected both on-site and online provided critical insights to inform future charger deployment and program design. Feedback underscored not only the challenges—such as limited public charging—but also the excitement around EV affordability through available rebate programs.
Voices from the Community
'The chargers would really help our neighborhood. We've been waiting for something like this.'
'I didn't know there were so many rebates available—this makes owning an EV feel possible for me.'
'The event was welcoming and fun. The classic electric cars were my favorite part.'
'I brought my family today, and it's great to see these resources in our community. We need more events like this.'
'The turnout today shows people care about clean air and want more options.'
Looking Ahead
The success of the Ride & Drive event demonstrates the importance of pairing infrastructure deployment with community engagement and education. By meeting residents where they are—through test drives, accessible resources, and culturally relevant activities—Take Charge is building awareness and trust in clean transportation solutions. These insights will continue to guide how Los Angeles County expands EV charging access equitably across the region.
Event Highlights
- 100+ residents engaged with EV test drives and educational resources
- 15+ community partners provided bilingual outreach materials
- Electric classic car showcase drew significant community interest
- Interactive surveys collected valuable feedback on charging infrastructure needs