ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – This weekend’s Electrify Expo at the Orange County Convention Center has a little something for everyone whether you’re already an electric vehicle enthusiast or looking to learn more.
The Expo takes place just outside the South Concourse of the convention center. Brands like Toyota, Tesla, Ford and Lucid were there with models of their electric vehicles.
“If you’ve ever been curious about going electric, or you’ve read something about going electric, it’s probably wrong. You need to come here and check out this festival,” said Electrify Expo CEO BJ Birtwell.
Before Birtwell started the expo, he said he was skeptical of EVs. But once he learned more about them, he wanted to give people like himself a place to come and learn more about electric transportation.
“I felt like EVs had no soul,” Birtwell said. “I thought they were toasters on wheels until I actually drove one. I drove one, and I had my light switch moment.”
Energy and EVs have been a topic of discussion for the Trump Administration.
Some speculate language in the president’s “Unleashing American Energy” executive order and others indicate the president is likely to seek to repeal a $7,500 tax credit approved by Congress as part of a Biden-era climate law from 2022.
But Birtwell wants people to put politics aside when choosing what’s best for them when it comes to electric or gas.
“Americans should have a choice on what they want to drive,” Birtwell said. “So let’s just kind of push all the politics aside and look at this as a form of transportation that people can choose, and if electric is the right way for them — great because we have everything here for you to try out.”
People who attend the Electrify Expo have the chance to test drive electric vehicles like the Ford Lightning, Teslas and more.
Ford is also offering its ‘Thrill Zone’ where people can see and feel the power of a Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Ford Mustang Mach-E brand manager, Matt Radebach, said the ability to have fun is how the Mach-E Rally breaks the mold of an electric vehicle.
“So this one in particular is all about taking fun to dirt roads,” Radebach said. “So kind of off pavement and to places Mustang’s never been before.”
This weekend’s Electrify Expo will run through Sunday. To purchase tickets, click here.
