PHOTOS: Parade Of Electric Vehicles Rolls Through Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — Around 25 electric vehicles took part in an inter-town parade and rally Saturday morning at the Fairfield Shopping Center to encourage and enlighten people about gas-free travel options.

The Fairfield Green Wheels EV Parade and Showcase, held in tandem with the Electric Vehicle Club of Connecticut, started at the Westport train station, with more than two dozen electric vehicles — mostly cars — making a smooth, silent and pollution-free trip to the parking lot at Bob’s Stores, 889 Post Road.

“We wanted to acknowledge that sustainable transportation is even bigger than electric vehicles,” said Bob Wall, who chairs the Sustainable Fairfield Task Force.

The event, he said, was also to highlight things like mass transit, ride sharing, bikes and safer routes for pedestrians.

“The parade is intended to be a visible showcase,” he said. “There’s really something for everyone.”

Dawn Henry of Westport, who has owned a high-performance all-wheel drive Tesla for five years, said many people don’t realize how easy owning an electric vehicle is.

“I love talking to other people about them and trying to convince others to make the switch,” she said, participating in the parade and showcase.

She said five years ago, when charging stations were fewer and farther between, she drove her car across the country without using any gas and with minimal effort in the process.

“You don’t have to sacrifice or compromise anything,” she said. “It’s actually a better driving experience than a gas car.”

Analiese Paik of Fairfield concurred, likewise having five years of experience as an electric car owner.

“Every time we burn fossil fuel we’re worsening the air quality,” she said, “which worsens human health.”

Like many others participating in the event, environmental concerns played a big part in her decision to make the switch.

“I feel it’s responsible, it’s fun and it’s the future,” Paik said.

Barry Kresch, president of the EV Club of Connecticut, said the parade and showcase help raise visibility about the joys and reasons for plugging in.

“We feel that EVs are one component, but an important component, if we’re going to mitigate the climate crisis,” he said.