The future of mobility will be in the spotlight at the 2022 Washington, DC Auto Show with the debut of an all-new Electric Vehicle & Alternative Fuel Pavilion when the show returns to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, January 21 through January 30.

The EV Pavilion, which will occupy a large section of the lower level of the convention center, will give show attendees—consumers, press and government regulators—the opportunity to experience first-hand the feeling and features of EVs, including micro-mobility options such as e-bikes and e-scooters.

As the “Public Policy Show” on the auto show circuit, the integration and focus on EV technology makes perfect sense, according to John O’Donnell, president and CEO of the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA). “Where better to showcase EV technology than in front of those who write and enforce the rules and regulations governing the industry,” O’Donnell said.

Earlier this year, President Joe Biden announced a goal to eventually replace the current 600,000-strong fleet of federal government vehicles with American-made EVs. The General Services Administration (GSA) is charged with making vehicle purchases and the Washington, DC Auto Show is the only auto show that GSA can attend, O’Donnell noted. “With 600,000 in orders, manufacturers will want to make sure they’re putting your best foot forward in terms of showing their technology,” O’Donnell said.

Dealers, Industry is All In on EVs

The focus on EVs at the Washington, DC Auto Show is just the latest example of how the public and the franchise dealer network is embracing the new technology. A recent study by Escalent found that EV intenders and early EV adopters preferred that many functions of an EV purchase – including test driving, becoming educated on the vehicle and charging options, completing the transaction, and getting the vehicle serviced – be done in person.

“Franchised dealers have been waiting for this moment for years,” NADA President and CEO Mike Stanton recently wrote in an advertorial. “Dealers are ‘all in’ on EVs and incredibly excited about the new electrified products that are being announced almost daily. And dealers are hungry for the sales and service opportunities that are going to come with having numerous new EV models to sell.”

EV Ride & Drive Options at the DC Show

EV startups such as Arcimoto, EVsmart and E-TEK Electric Bikes are already lined up to take part in the EV Pavilion, with more manufacturers and EV partners in the works. The EV Pavilion will also feature an all-electric WMATA Metro bus as well as a large display and charging stations from Electrify America, the official electric vehicle charging provider of the Washington, DC Auto Show. 

Car-buying enthusiasts will also be able to take EVs out for a spin on a special outdoor Ride & Drive. Visitors to the show can register at the EVsmart display, select the vehicle they want to test drive, and then take a ride through the streets of Washington, DC alongside a product specialist.

Learn more about the 2022 Washington DC Auto Show.