Oregon is home to the first Electric Vehicle test-driving showcase

Slowly but surely everyone is starting to warm a bit more to the big new thing, electric cars, even the most devout petrolheads are becoming curious about the hype.

The West Coast has been especially welcoming to the electrification movement. The coalition of states and agencies, mainly California and its Air Resources Board (CARB), has helped guide the basic foundation of charging and environmental guidelines in the industry. Now, the first EV showcase has opened in the Pacific Northwest.

Earlier on this year, electrification supporters Forth (formally known as Drive Oregon) rebranded themselves to focus on their future. The organization’s goal is to help achieve the advancement of EVs through promotion and interaction. They help to advocate for electrification’s benefits, and engage the public by helping them take the reins of an electric car.

An offering that is provided by Forth is the ability for anyone to book an hour of free driving with one of their showcase cars. Currently, there are three offerings for electric vehicles: the 2017 Chevy Bolt EV, the 2017 Ford C-Max Energi, and the 2014 Nissan Leaf S.

Despite EVs being one of the most heavily-promoted categories at auto shows this year, automakers still aren’t telling the public they have electric cars for sale.

One reason maybe that the charging infrastructure is not at the same level across the US, however, it is improving across the country.

As a result, many Americans simply aren’t aware that an affordable electric car is available for them to purchase. It will still be quite a few months before the more affordable Tesla Model 3 will be seen in the public eye in mass quantities.

The lack of knowledge is one of the reasons that Forth is putting its $1m grant from the Department of Energy to good use.

With its regional focus on EVs, Forth hopes this will encourage more electrified cars in the area, and ultimately nationwide.

Offering the first kind of free test drive service to the public might just be the perfect way to move consumers towards a non-traditional platform ahead of the industry’s maturity.