L-R: Alumni Engagement Executive Director Julie Lafford, York President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton, Plug’n Drive CEO Cara Clairman, and Faculty of Environmental Studies Dean Alice Hovorka and Senior Development Officer Amanda Stastook our test drive reception.
On June 6, 2019 the Division of Advancement partnered with the Faculty of Environmental Studies to host a unique event at the Plug‘n Drive Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre. Open to alumni and the broader York community, guests were invited to a reception with the opportunity to network with fellow alumni and test drive electric vehicles.
Plug‘n Drive was founded by York alumna and President and CEO Cara Clairman (MES ’93, LLB ’93). The Centre is the world’s first experiential learning facility dedicated to electric cars. The facility is open to the public, where you can explore how electric cars save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and experience top performance. Test drive vehicles included nine different makes and models of electric car, like the Audi A3 Sportback e-Tron, BMW i3, Chevrolet BOLT and Ford Fusion Energi.
Ammon Cherry, BEs student and President of BESSA, explores test drive vehicles at Plug’n Drive Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre.
The event included a lively networking reception where alumni connected and with the York University leadership team. Speakers included President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton, Vice-President Advancement Jeff O’Hagan, and Faculty of Environmental Studies dean Alice Hovorka who spoke to their bold visions for the University. Clairman gave an insightful talk on the myths of electric vehicles, the changes the Centre has made for electric vehicles in Canada, and looked to the future of electric vehicles.
Glendon and FES alumnus Darnel Harris (BA ’11, MES ’15) felt the reception was “a great event” that allowed him to enjoy driving electric cars. “It also allowed me to meet the York University leadership team and learn more about the exciting future of York.”
Visit the Plug’n Drive website to learn more about the Centre. Photos from the event can be found on our Facebook page.