Event participants could experience the latest in electric vehicle technology, talk to electric vehicle owners about their experiences, learn about electric-vehicle charging and find out about incentives and rebates that help make electric vehicles an affordable option. Photo by Thomas J. Sullivan

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - With just weeks left until federal electric vehicle (EV) tax credits worth up to $7,500 end on Sept. 30, SMUD hosted a special “ride and drive” event at the Sunrise Mall during the weekly Farmer’s Market on Aug. 9 to give the community an opportunity to test drive a variety of electric vehicles and get expert guidance on tax incentives before those savings disappear.

Federal EV tax credits offer up to $7,500 for new vehicles and $4,000 for used ones but only if customers buy and take delivery before Sept. 30.

The special event was held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. By 11 a.m., more than 103 individuals set aside their produce and purchases to register to take a test drive in one of six different EV vehicles which SMUD provided for their consideration.

“It’s an exceptional turnout today and a lot of interest in EV’s. We want to get the word out to the public before the federal tax credits expire on Sept. 30,” said SMUD Electric Vehicle program manager John Grindrod.

This was the 50th electric vehicle ride-and-drive event which SMUD has hosted, according to Grindrod. Event participants could experience the latest in electric vehicle technology, talk to electric vehicle owners about their experiences, learn about electric vehicle charging and find out about incentives and rebates that help make electric vehicles an affordable option. 

The number of electric vehicles in Sacramento County is continuing to grow with total registrations now up to more than 70,000 according to a recent estimate, Grindrod said. The largest percentage of personal electric vehicle owners use home chargers. Public electric-vehicle charging stations are also gaining popularity.

Shown is one of the electric vehicles in SMUD’s commercial fleet. Photo courtesy of

In Citrus Heights, a new EVgo charging station recently opened to the public in the parking lot of Sunrise Mall near Macy Center Drive and another is under construction in the MarketPlace at Birdcage, just off Birdcage Lane near Best Buy.

Representatives from SMUD, the Sacramento Metro Air District and Charge Across Town based in San Francisco were on hand to answer questions about the advantages of electric vehicle ownership, as well as several electric- vehicle owners who brought their own vehicles to share their ownership experience.

Drivers could get behind the wheel of a BMW, Chevy Volt, Ford F-150 Lightning pick-up truck, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ionic, Tesla, or VW ID.4 for a quick spin around a designated area of the Sunrise Mall parking lot.

SMUD has partnered with multiple auto manufacturers to acquire a sample fleet of electrical vehicles, according to Grindrod.

The test drive registration process was easy to follow and the wait to drive was short. Participants who completed a test drive received a $10 voucher to use at any booth at the Sunrise Mall Farmers Market upon completion of their test drive and were asked to complete a survey about their driving experience.

Representatives of the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District’s Clean Cars 4 All program described incentives to help Sacramento County income-qualified residents buy an all-electric, plug-in or hybrid vehicle. 

Visit SacCleanCars4All.org for more information. Participants in the Clean Cars 4 All program can get up to $12,000 to purchase or lease an eligible plug pin (PHEV), battery electric (BEV) or fuel-cell electric vehicle or up to $7,500 for an electric bike if they turn in an eligible vehicle.

As Sacramento County gas prices continue to fluctuate, drivers who opt to switch to electric vehicles might save up to $1,500 annually in fuel costs, according to SMUD estimates. The utility also offers a reduced midnight-to-6 a.m. home electric-vehicle discount charging rate for its customers.

“We’re here to help,” Grindrod said. “If you’re just starting to look or if you're ready to purchase, we can help with information on incentives and rebates, the best EV to fit your needs and charging assistance. SMUD also has a dedicated team to help its residential and business customers understand the basics of EV ownership and charging options.”

Visit smud.org/DriveElectric for more information.