Avon Hosts Electric Social at Sun & Ski Parking Lot

The hum of an electric motor is barely a whisper, a soft whir that replaces the guttural roar of a combustion engine. It’s a sound that feels like the future, quiet and clean, yet it’s arriving right here in Avon this Saturday. The Town of Avon is hosting its Sustainability Fair, and the centerpiece is the Electric Social, taking over the Sun & Ski parking lot from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 16. This isn’t just another car show; it’s a chance to plug in, literally and figuratively, to a community trying to tackle its biggest source of emissions.

Transportation accounts for the largest slice of Eagle County’s carbon pie, and while electric vehicles (EVs) currently make up only about 3.5% of passenger vehicles locally, that number is climbing. The event aims to accelerate that shift. You can wander through vendor tables to learn about home electrification from Holy Cross Energy and Walking Mountains Energy Coaches, or simply take an e-bike for a spin on the test course provided by two local shops. If your current e-bike is acting a little dramatic, Brady from Evoke will be on-site offering free tune-ups and fix-it advice, treating your bike to a spa day while you browse.

There’s a warmth to the setup, a deliberate mixing of utility and leisure. You’re not just standing in a parking lot looking at metal boxes; you’re surrounded by live music, free beer, brats, mini donuts, and lemonade. Every attendee is automatically entered into a raffle for a chance to win one of three $100 gift cards to local bike shops, along with other Sustainability Fair prizes. It’s a smart way to draw folks out of their driveways and into the conversation about climate action.

The financial argument is as tangible as the brats on the grill. Gas prices remain a headache for locals, and EVs offer a stark contrast in efficiency. While gas-powered cars waste roughly 80% of their energy, electric vehicles waste only about 10–20%. That efficiency translates to savings. EV owners save around $4,000 to $5,000 on maintenance over the lifetime of the car, mostly because you can finally say goodbye to the dread of the next oil change.

But the real story here is the power source. Most of Eagle County is powered by Holy Cross Energy, which is already at 85% renewable energy and on track to reach 100% by 2030. This means every time you plug in at the Electric Social, you’re driving on wind and solar resources rather than fossil fuels. It’s a crucial distinction for those who worry that charging an EV just shifts the pollution from the tailpipe to the power plant. Here, the grid is already cleaning up its act.

The Climate Action Collaborative, in partnership with CLEER, is also using this momentum to help multifamily communities install charging infrastructure through their free EV Charging Cohort program. It’s a practical step, addressing the "range anxiety" and infrastructure gaps that keep many renters and condo owners on the fence. You can log your walk, bike, run, carpool, or bus ride to the event using the free Sole Power Plus app, turning your commute into a reward.

If you look closely at the lineup of vehicles and the eager faces of e-bike testers, you can feel the shift. It’s not just about buying a new car; it’s about rethinking how we move through the valley. The air in the Sun & Ski parking lot will smell of grilled meat and summer rain, but underneath it, the quiet hum of electric motors will be the real message.