Mid-Columbia Electric Vehicle Association

05/01/2026

The leases on hundreds of thousands of battery-powered cars and trucks will end in the next three years, and many will end up on used-car lots.

05/01/2026

Many Thanks to Self-Help Credit Union for inviting us out to their informative ribbon cutting ceremony at their Pasco location! The event was a great networking opportunity accented with tasty food and entertainment to boot! 👍

04/23/2026

The 2026 Tri-Cities Earth Day EV Showcase at the REACH Museum on April 18 was hosted by Mid-Columbia Electric Vehicle Association in partnership with the REACH Museum and was part of the larger Tri-Cities Earth Month celebration at the REACH Museum with over 50 exhibitors drawing over 1000 visitors! Enthusiastic EV owners, curious visitors, and great weather made for an enjoyable afternoon. We had a great line up of 25 vehicles that included an electric motorcycle, 23 BEVs, and 1 PHEV. More than 11 manufacturers were represented in 20 different models. Vehicles that generated interest from visitors and fellow EV owners included the Rivian R1S and R1T vehicles as well as a Volkswagen ID.Buzz. Also of interest was an electric bus provided by Ben Franklin Transit that was on display immediately adjacent to the EV show. An information kiosk staffed by Mid-Columbia EVA volunteers included informational handouts on charging infrastructure, tax incentives, EV specifications, and posters with EV FAQs and technical data on cost savings and achievable GHG reductions in eastern Washington. Mid-Columbia EVA would like to thank Polestar Portland for bringing their Polestar 4 all the way from Portland! We would also like to thank Overturf Motors for bringing out a VW ID.Buzz, a VW ID.4 and a Kia EV9 for this show as well as being regular supporters of our events over the years. We also would like to thank Energy Northwest for participating with their own booth with information on EVITA and charging station buildout projects they are managing across the state. Most importantly, we thank the REACH Museum for providing a great venue, for publicizing this event and for helping to make it a great success. And last but not least, thank you to the many EV owners who brought their EVs and spent the afternoon sharing their experiences with visitors and fellow EV owners.

03/21/2026

The deadline is rapidly approaching to take Plug In America's 2026 Annual EV Driver Survey. Please consider taking this survey which will be used to educate policymakers, elected officials, and industry insiders. Anyone, whether they drive an EV or not, is welcome to respond to the survey.

Plug In America launched its 2026 annual survey and invites U.S. residents to share their experiences with or perceptions of EVs.

03/21/2026

In spite of the Trump administration's attempts to halt EV charging infrastructure expansion, The U.S. set a new record last year as it installed more than 18,000 new fast-charging ports, expanding the nationwide network by 30%.

States are fighting a requirement that chargers getting federal funding be made with 100% American components — a standard no manufacturers currently meet.

03/21/2026

War in Iran has disrupted global oil supplies, which is prompting some car shoppers to look for ways to climb off “the gas-price roller coaster.”

03/21/2026

22 clean transportation advocates are on Capitol Hill this week, urging reauthorization of a clean surface transportation bill that will build on previous bipartisan progress for federal investments in clean transportation. Forth is proud to be among them.

Over the past several years, Congress has taken bold steps to transform public transportation and protect communities, investing billions to expand zero-pollution transit and school bus fleets, strengthening a reliable national EV charging network, and accelerating the transition to cleaner and pollution free trucks and buses. These investments are delivering measurable results: an American manufacturing renaissance, thousands of good-paying jobs, lower fuel and maintenance costs for families and fleets, and cleaner air in communities across the country.

Manufacturers had been expanding U.S. production, utilities were upgrading infrastructure, and fleets were deploying zero-pollution vehicles at an unprecedented scale. This momentum strengthened American competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global market.

Weakening or reversing these investments only raises costs, undermines U.S. leadership, and slows economic growth. Transportation electrification is the most affordable, safe, and practical path forward to reduce pollution, protect public health, and ensure long-term economic resilience. We urge Members of Congress this week to support a clean surface transportation bill!

03/21/2026

We’re throwing it back to the 1970s with the new white-and-green Keep Washington Evergreen specialty license plate! We’ve teamed up with the Washington State Department of Licensing to renew the design with proceeds supporting electric vehicle charging projects across the state.

Commerce will hold a random drawing to determine who can buy plates with assigned numbers one through 25. Complete the form by April 3 to enter: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/b10d2f70f1b045118a095bc317d05af1

The lottery selection does not cover costs for buying and renewing the plate.

Check out the DOL’s webpage for specialty plate information: https://dol.wa.gov/vehicles-and-boats/license-plates/get-custom-plates/special-design-plates/keep-wa-evergreen

03/21/2026

This will be VERY unpopular.

This never gets a mentioned about becoming an EV driver.

You don’t realise how bad exhaust fumes are.

How bad they smell.

How hard it is to breathe.

Until you stop being around them.

When you switch to an EV, something weird happens.

At first, nothing. It just feels normal.

Then one day you’re walking through a car park…

Or sat behind an older diesel at the lights…

Or someone starts their engine right next to you…

Or simply drives past.

And it hits you.

That smell.

That thick, dirty, oily exhaust smell.

And you suddenly realise…

This used to be constant. It was normal.

And now it stinks. You can’t breathe.

Every school run.

Every traffic jam.

Every petrol station.

Every drive-through queue.

We’ve just been conditioned to accept it.

Once you’ve had even a short break from it, your tolerance drops massively.

It’s like going from a smoky room into fresh air, and then being forced back inside.

You notice it instantly.

And it feels worse than you remember.

That’s what people underestimate.

Cleaner air isn’t just some invisible benefit.

And once that happens, once you properly notice the difference, there’s no going back, and it will drive you mad.