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Chicago Science Fest hosts electric vehicle drives at Merchandise Mart

Through a new seven-state electric vehicle partnership, the Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition will give consumers a chance to test drive some of the newest electric vehicles (EVs) at the Chicago Science Fest on Saturday, May 20, at the Merchandise Mart.

The drives are a part of a new three-year partnership between the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest and eight Clean Cities coalitions throughout the Midwest to demonstrate the performance and environmental benefits of EVs.

This is the first EV ride-and-drive event in Illinois as a part of the seven-state project called Midwest EVOLVE, which stands for Electric Vehicle Opportunities: Learning, eVents, Experience. At Midwest EVOLVE events consumers have a chance to learn about the environmental benefits of EVs and the ease of charging vehicles at home, at work or at public charging stations.

"There's no better way to learn about how cool electric vehicles are than getting behind the wheel," said Samantha Bingham, coordinator of the Chicago Area Clean Cities, a partner in the Midwest EVOLVE project. "While you and your family are having fun at the Chicago Science Fest, we're giving consumers an opportunity to learn about electric vehicles and their outstanding performance, how they improve air quality and save fuel, and fit the needs of your driving habits."

The Illinois Science Council is holding the third annual Chicago Science Festival at the Merchandise Mart, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654. Ride and drives will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To see the full agenda and get tickets, visit ChicagoScienceFest.org.

"The Chicago Science Festival is a celebration of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in our area," said Monica Metzler, founder and executive director of the Illinois Science Council. "We have talks and demonstrations all day that highlight the amazing research, and researchers, from Argonne Lab, Fermilab, Northwestern, University of Chicago, UIUC, RUSH, the Rehabilitation Institute, and more."

Midwest EVOLVE launched in early 2017 with three automotive partners, Ford Motor Co., General Motors and Nissan, as well as more than 60 other partners, including Argonne National Laboratory, utilities, state agencies, municipalities, dealerships and dealer associations.

Between now and the end of 2019, more than 200 large and small Midwest EVOLVE events, including ride and drives, workplace-charging seminars, and other events, will held at brand-neutral settings throughout the Midwest.

Chicago Area Clean Cities (CACC) is a nonprofit coalition focused on promoting cleaner energy for automotive fleets in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. CACC is one of nearly 100 coalitions across the country that are affiliated with the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities program, which brings together stakeholders to increase the use of alternative fuel and advanced-vehicle technologies, reduce idling, and improve fuel economy and air quality. CACC concentrates its efforts on educating businesses and municipalities in the six-county Chicago area, including Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. To become involved or learn more about the coalition, visit www.ChicagoCleanCities.org.

Illinois Science Council is an independent, volunteer-driven 501c3 organization that engages, educates, and entertains the adult public about science, technology, engineering and math in our everyday lives. ISC highlights the scientists and research of the Chicago-area institutions and companies that make Chicago the nation's true "City of Science." ISC serves as the science and tech complement to the region's arts and culture offerings. For more information, visit www.illinoisscience.org.

Midwest EVOLVE is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), under Award Number DE-EE0007743. To learn more, visit www.MidwestEVOLVE.org.

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