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2 chances to test-drive an EV Saturday — in Medford, Talent By Nick Morgan Updated: Sep 29, 2022 06:14 PM A A The nonprofit Forth will provide information about electric vehicles and EV ownership in a no-pressure environment during the Talent Harvest Festival Saturday in front of Talent’s city hall. It’s one of two National Drive Electric Week events going on Saturday in Southern Oregon. [Submitted photo] Local drivers who’ve been kicking the tires on the idea of going electric will have unique opportunities to get behind the wheel of an EV at two test-drive events this weekend. As part of National Drive Electric Week, Lithia & Driveway is offering test drives of six EV models and one plug-in hybrid from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Pear Blossom Park in downtown Medford In Talent, the transportation nonprofit Forth will offer a “mobile showcase” offering test drives of electric vehicles — including bikes and tractors — from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday during Talent Harvest Festival in front of Talent City Hall, 110 E. Main St. Available for 20-minute test drives in Medford are fully electric vehicles that include two Ford F-150 Lightning trucks in different trim levels, a Mini Cooper S Electric, a Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ sedan and a Tesla Model 3 Performance, according to a news release from Lithia. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles — meaning that they also have a gasoline engine, but can be charged — available for test drive include new Toyota RAV4 Prime and Jeep Wrangler 4xe SUVs. The Medford event is a joint effort between Lithia, its Driveway and GreenCars online information programs and the Siskiyous and Oregon Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Association. The event in Talent will provide information about owning an EV, along with a chance to test drive a variety of electric cars and bikes without sales pressure, according to Pacific Power spokesman Brandon Zero. Pacific Power funds the nonprofit Forth with a $194,500 Pacific Power Oregon Clean Fuels Grant. Zero said Forth’s showcase is designed to provide information about electric vehicles to “rural and traditionally underserved communities.” Saturday’s event includes a mobile center with touchscreen monitors showcasing how available public EV chargers are across Oregon. The nonprofit also brings experts to help drivers find an EV that matches their lifestyle and budget in a no-pressure environment. For info on the Talent event see forthmobility.org/mobile-showcase . Reach web editor Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @MTwebeditor.