MEET Guelph Offers Free Electric Vehicle Test Drives and Education
Guelph, ON – May 7, 2026 – Residents of Guelph will have the opportunity to experience electric vehicles (EVs firsthand) when Plug’n Drive brings its Mobile EV Education Trailer (MEET) to the community this spring. MEET Guelph offers free, no-pressure EV test drives designed to help people explore electric driving in a practical, accessible way.
Open for extended weekends throughout the month, MEET Guelph provides a welcoming space for visitors to get behind the wheel, ask questions, and learn how EVs fit into everyday life—from charging to range to real-world performance.
“Getting people into the driver’s seat is one of the most effective ways to build confidence in electric vehicles,” said Cara Clairman, President and CEO of Plug’n Drive. “The MEET gives people the chance to explore their options, understand how charging works, and see how an EV could fit into their routine.”
MEET Guelph Details
- Dates: May 14 – June 14, 2026 (Thursdays through Sundays)
- Location: Victoria Road Recreation Centre, 151 Victoria Rd. N., Guelph, ON N1E 6M2 | Map to MEET Guelph
- Hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
What to Expect
Visitors to MEET Guelph can:
- Test drive a range of electric vehicles in a relaxed, sales-free environment
- Learn about charging, costs, and incentives through interactive displays
- Speak with EV experts to get unbiased answers to their questions
- Compare models to find what fits their lifestyle
Vehicles available for test drives (subject to change):
- Chevrolet Blazer EV (2025)
- Chevrolet Silverado EV (2025)
- Hyundai IONIQ 9 (2026)
- Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) (2024)
- Toyota bZ (2026)
- Toyota Prius PHEV (2026)
- Volvo EX30 PHEV (2025)
Win 250,000 RBC Avion Points
Visitors who attend MEET Guelph and take a test drive can enter the EVs are for Everyone Cross-Country Tour Contest. RBC is the National Champion Sponsor of the Tour. Their support and leadership is helping expand access to EV education and hands-on experiences in communities across Canada.
Two winners—one in Eastern Canada and one in Western Canada—will each receive 250,000 RBC Avion points, enough to redeem for an electric scooter and more.
How to enter:
- Visit MEET Guelph
- Scan the on-site QR code
- No purchase necessary
“Hands-on experience is important in any large purchasing decision,” said Raza Abubakr, Regional Vice President – Guelph Cambridge, at RBC. “This tour is a tangible way to help Canadians understand the benefits of driving an EV up-front as they consider switching to electric transportation.”
Local Partners Supporting MEET Guelph
MEET Guelph is presented locally by Alectra Utilities, which is helping remove barriers to EV adoption with a suite of consumer tools and resources, including an EV Calculator and its Charging Ahead: Homeowner’s Guide to Installing a Level 2 EV Charger. Learn more on Alectra’s Smart eMobility portal.
“Empowering communities with the knowledge and confidence to adopt electric vehicles is a critical step toward a cleaner energy future,” said Geri Yin, Vice-President, Alectra Green Energy & Technologies (GRE&T) Centre, Alectra’s innovation hub in Guelph. “Supporting the MEET in Guelph reflects Alectra’s strong connection to the Guelph community and our commitment to helping residents and organizations adopt electric vehicles through practical tools, education, and on-the-ground support.
eMERGE Guelph Sustainability is supporting the delivery of MEET Guelph by helping connect Plug’n Drive with local EV owners and enthusiasts who will serve as trained EV Ambassadors, providing visitors with peer-to-peer insights and locally-informed experience.
“Guelph is buzzing with EV drivers eager to share their real experiences,” said Evan Ferrari, Executive Director, eMERGE Guelph Sustainability. “Through MEET Guelph, connects residents with our EV Ambassadors for honest conversations that inspire change.”
The Guelph chapter of the Climate Action Network is helping to amplify community engagement, connecting the program to local climate action efforts and encouraging residents to explore low-carbon transportation options.
“The Guelph Climate Action Network is thrilled to have played a part in bringing the MEET to Guelph,” said Donna Jennison, Chair, Guelph Climate Action Network. “EVs, along with public transit and strong active transportation infrastructure are key components of our city’s plans to reduce emissions and help create a Net Zero city. Programs like the MEET provide exciting opportunities to explore practical low-carbon choices and turn awareness into action. See you at MEET Guelph!”
“What a great idea to give our community a chance to check out a variety of electric cars and even take them for a spin,“ adds Karen Rathwell, Chair Guelph Wellington Coalition for Social Justice. “Once people start driving the quiet and smooth ride will be evident.”
“As we look toward a cleaner, more sustainable future, initiatives like MEET Guelph make it easier—and more fun—for our community to take meaningful steps forward,” said Carolyn Weatherson, Co-Chair Rotary Club of Guelph Environment Committee. “The Rotary Club of Guelph is proud to support opportunities that educate, inspire, and empower people to be part of the solution. The MEET lets people experience firsthand that the future of transportation is already here—and how each of us can help build a cleaner, greener Guelph.”
How to Participate in MEET Guelph
- Book Ahead: Secure a preferred test drive time via the MEET Guelph booking calendar.
- Walk-ins Welcome: Visitors can drop by during operating hours.
- Driver Requirements:
- Participants must be 21 years of age with a full, unrestricted driver’s license.
- If you don’t have a license or do not wish to drive the vehicles, an EV Ambassador can do the driving.
- Children eight and older can be a passenger if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
EVs are for EVeryone Tour National and Regional Sponsors
The Tour is made possible through partial funding from Natural Resources Canada and the essential support of sponsors.
National Champion Sponsor – RBC
Discovery Sponsors – Mike Brigham Foundation | Power Workers’ Union
Electrifying Sponsors – Bruce Power | NexDrive powered by NAPA | Ontario Power Generation | Toronto Hydro
Automaker Sponsors – Cadillac | Chevrolet | Hyundai | Mitsubishi | Toyota | Volvo
Accelerator Sponsors – CAA Québec | Elocity | Flo
Amplified Sponsors – CAA | Electricity Canada | Electric Mobility Canada | Electrical Safety Authority | Indigenous Clean Energy | Women in Renewable Energy WiRE
EVs are for Everyone Tour events offer EV test drives, expert consultations, and information on charging, the economic and environmental benefits of EVs, and how to choose the right EV for your needs.
To see where else the EVs are for Everyone Tour is heading this season, visit EVs are for Everyone Cross-Canada Tour to access the full schedule, or explore Plug’n Drive’s events calendar.
About Plug’n Drive
Plug’n Drive is a not-for-profit organization accelerating EV adoption in Canada by providing brand-neutral education, hands-on experiences, and strategic insights to consumers, communities, businesses and decision-makers. Our vision is a well-informed Canadian public that understands the environmental and economic benefits of driving electric and is inspired to make the switch.
This year, we are proud to celebrate our 15th anniversary. Since 2011, we have made incredible strides in our mission through a variety of consumer education programs, including the launch of the world’s first Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre (EVDC) in Toronto, the Electric Vehicle Roadshow event series as well as the Mobile EV Education Trailer (MEET). We also deliver EV test-drive experiences at major auto shows across Canada, helping thousands of drivers get behind the wheel each year.
Our corporate partnerships include EV auto manufacturers, utilities, EV charger manufacturers, and others. For more information about Plug’n Drive’s programs, services, and events, visit plugndrive.ca and sign up for our newsletter. Join our community on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
If you are interested in an interview, please reach out via the contact information below.
Alan Downward
Communications Advisor, Plug’n Drive
Email: alan@plugndrive.ca
Phone: 647-449-9715