This Valentine’s Day, we’re spotlighting a collection of stories from our staff and members that broke up with gas and what they enjoy most about their pollution-free rides—whether they own an electric car that’s serving them well in this particularly cold winter, zip around their neighborhood on an electric bike, or take an electric train to their next adventure.
The great thing about EVs? They benefit everyone! Whether you own an EV or not, programs that help to get more EVs on our roads help drive down electricity rates, clean up our air, and reduce climate emissions.
"I love so many things about my EV. I love driving it, I love that my kids can watch a movie while I pop into a store, I love that my dog can stay safely in the car in the summer, but I love it the most in the winter. This may sound counter to the sensationalized stories about battery life and cold weather, but having an EV will change your life if you live in a cold climate like I do.
"I leave my house to workout most mornings at 5 am. Many days it is well below zero degrees, but I don't even leave the house with a jacket on because I warm my car up from my couch, and then warm it up again from the lobby of my gym, or the check out line at the grocery store, or the last few minutes of the women's college basketball game (Go, Badgers!), etc. The car is warm and cozy, my favorite podcast comes on, and I'm good to go!" — Sierra Club Chief Climate Officer Holly Bender, who lives in Madison, Wisconsin
Christine and her fiancé Graeme featuring their e-bike Miranda for their engagement photoshoot
"Taking the electric light rail train for a short adventure out of town is fun and easy way to 'go green.'" — Joshua Houdek, Senior Program Manager for Land Use and Transportation at the Sierra Club North Star Chapter. Joshua lives in Minneapolis.
“They say the best way to sight see around a city is by walking or by bike. My cargo e-bike allows me to participate in events like the DC Climate Bike Ride, organized by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association and sponsored by the Sierra Club DC Chapter. We rode with ease from spot to spot and learned so much!
“We LOVE our Hyundai Ioniq 5. Why? So many whys. 1. She’s a boss. Specifically, a Vermont winter boss. Snow. Dirt roads. Mountain roads. Snowy dirt mountain roads. They’re all hers to roam. 2. She’s got pep for days. Man, she’s quick. DJ Quik quick. For real. 3. Hey gas staaation: smell ya never! Ioniq 5 for the WIN!”
“Dear Spicy Curry family cargo bike: you’re the best. Tops in our book. You carry us and all of our stuff all over town. You’re a beast on the hills, and you haven’t met a kid or sticker you didn’t love. Two kids. One adult. Three backpacks, a trombone, a stuffie, and a gallon of milk. And that’s just Tuesday. Seven years strong and we are still in awe. Go on, Spicy Curry.” — Sierra Club Senior Attorney Nat Shoaff. Nat lives in Montpelier, Vermont.