MEDIA RELEASE: Plug’n Drive Appoints Tracy Walden as Vice President of Communications
March 20, 2024-
March 20, 2024, Toronto, Ontario – Plug’n Drive, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across Canada, proudly announces the appointment of Ottawa-based Tracy Walden to the newly-created role of Vice President of Communications.
With over 25 years of professional experience in advocacy, outreach and events, including 18 years in the energy sector, Ms. Walden brings a wealth of expertise and a deep commitment to sustainability and environmental education that will further strengthen Plug’n Drive’s leading position in Canada as a trusted source of information about electric vehicles, charging stations and the electricity sector.
Quotes
“We are thrilled to have Tracy onboard to help Plug’n Drive support Canada’s urgent need to transition to sustainable transportation,” said Cara Clairman, President, CEO and founder of Plug’n Drive. “Her leadership and vision will be instrumental in raising public awareness about our programs and services. She will support our effort to expand our outreach initiatives aimed at bringing Plug’n Drive programs, events and EV education to decision-makers, communities, workplaces, and classrooms across Canada.”
“Welcoming Tracy in this new role is aligned with Plug’n Drive’s ambition for increased public profile to drive new and expanded opportunities for consumer and community engagement as demand for and supply of electric vehicles rises across Canada,” added Dav Cvitkovic, Chief Operating Officer at Plug’n Drive. “We are fortunate to work with a dedicated and diverse range of auto partners and I look forward to bringing their EVs to more communities across Canada.”
“I am thrilled to join Plug’n Drive and contribute to its vital mission of accelerating the transition to electric vehicles,” said Tracy Walden. “I look forward to working with the dedicated team at Plug’n Drive, its enthusiastic EV ambassadors, and its forward-thinking board, sponsors and partners, to empower communities, engage with drivers, and facilitate positive change in the transportation sector.”
Background
- In December of 2023, the federal government introduced a sales mandate for 100% zero emission light duty vehicles by 2035 (ZEVs – passenger cars, SUVs, light trucks) with an incremental target of 20% by 2026. In Q3 2023, the market share of new ZEV registrations in Canada surged to a new all-time high of 12% according to Stats Can. Presently, there are well over 700,000 electric and hybrid electric vehicles on Canadian roads and over 70 different EV models available, with more on the way at increasingly affordable prices.
- With over 83 percent of Canada’s electricity coming from non-emitting sources (e.g., hydro, nuclear, wind, solar), the transition to electric vehicles will greatly reduce Canada’s climate-changing emissions. Light duty vehicles account for about half of Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transportation sector. The transportation sector accounts for about 25 percent of Canada’s overall GHG emissions.
- Plug’n Drive has a Find Your Match app to browse and compare vehicles, cost savings, and incentives available across Canada, including the federal $5000 incentive for the purchase of a fully electric or plug-in hybrid electric car. For example, the cost for the electricity needed for a mid-sized electric vehicle to travel 400 kilometres is roughly $10 compared to $50 for gasoline.
- Plug’n Drive offers pressure-free EV education and test drives through various programs available in Ontario and other jurisdictions: downtown Toronto Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre; the Mobile Electric Vehicle Education Trailer (MEET); the Electric Vehicle Roadshow; and the Employee Engagement Program.
- Plug’n Drive has a half-day hands-on, experiential EV Student Learning Program delivered by EV experts that aligns with the Ontario curriculum in the areas of Science Discovery, Environmental Discovery/Trades, and Math Discovery.
- Canada has over 27,000 public chargers and is on track to greatly expand on that as governments, car manufacturers and various charging network providers build out the public charging network. Plug’n Drive has EV charging resources to help with public charging, home charging, charging at work, and retrofitting condos.
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About Plug’n Drive
Plug’n Drive is a not-for-profit organization accelerating EV adoption in Canada to maximize the environmental and economic benefits of an electrified transportation sector. Since 2011, we have made incredible strides in our mission through a variety of consumer education programs, including the launch of the world’s first Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre (EVDC) in Toronto, the Electric Vehicle Roadshow event series as well as the Mobile EV Education Trailer (MEET). Our corporate partnerships include EV auto manufacturers, utilities, EV charger manufacturers, and others. For more information about Plug’n Drive’s programs, services, and events, visit plugndrive.ca and sign up for our newsletter. Join Plug’n Drive’s EV Owners Club. Join our community on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
For more information, please contact:
Alan Downward
Communications and Project Coordinator
Plug’n Drive
(647) 449-9715
