When it comes to EVs and electrification, nothing beats getting hands-on. Customers need opportunities to see, touch, try, and live with new technology — and when those moments happen without the pressure of a sales pitch, they build trust. Utilities are uniquely positioned to deliver these experiences. Test drives, pop-ups, community showcases, and in-field events can transform curiosity into confidence, ultimately leading to action.
At REACH Strategies, we’ve helped utilities deliver more than 1,000 events, connect with over one million customers, and run hundreds of community activations — often seeing conversion rates above 20 percent among buyers and leasers after an event. These activations don’t just generate interest; they convert. They give customers space to confront real concerns, ask questions, and see how EVs fit into their lives.
The research backs this up. A 2019 study in Sustainability found that even short, 10–15 minute test drives significantly improved potential buyers’ perceptions of EV comfort, reliability, and maintenance costs — and increased willingness to purchase. An Ohio State University study showed that participants who test-drove EVs reported a stronger personal connection to early technology adoption, a psychological shift that correlates with higher purchase intent. And experiential marketing studies consistently find that more than 85 percent of participants are more likely to purchase after attending an activation.
Experiences matter — and they work. Let’s build them into your 2026 engagement plan and turn awareness into measurable adoption.
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