The simulated exhaust note growls from an electric 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona, owned by Jesse Kirkham.
“It's a speaker system that simulates a V8 HEMI,” Kirkham said. "To be completely honest, I didn't buy it for the sound. I bought it for the look."
Kirkham cruised in with his car, and dad Jesse Sr. — but this could be their last opportunity. Organizers of the EVs4 EVV event won’t host another — said Caroline Nellis.
“It won't be going unless we get new blood or the dealerships take it over, because we can't, you know, I'm turning 75 this week," she said. "Some of (the board members) are older than I am.”
Her organization, Tristate Creation Care, has organized the event for four years. This year, they paid an individual to organize it because Nellis couldn’t take the lead.
She’s suggested to dealerships that they organize future events to showcase their EVs.
“I don't know if they will decide to do that or not,” she said. “I don't know if this is a final time or if it will be carried on by others in a different capacity from us, but we won't be able to do it anymore.”
The 2025 event was decidedly sparse, but Nellis said test drives were a bright spot. She thinks more were taken this year than previous events.
At the event, a family from Henderson is checking out the brand new Volkswagen ID Buzz electric bus. David Beliles of D-Patrick VW, is showing off its panoramic sunroof, which can go from frosted white, to clear with the swipe of a finger.
“Wow, that's amazing,” said Leann Martin, while taking a test drive with her family. Leann was more skeptical than her husband Kenny. After the drive she was warming up to the idea, after asking about things like the battery range. She appreciated the rear legroom.
Nellis said such interactions with EVs are important, because the whole point was introducing electric vehicles to the public.
“So that ultimately they may end up choosing to buy one at some point and thereby cut greenhouse gas emissions,” she said.
There were enough test rides to warrant bringing two of the VW vans to the show. This is despite the federal tax credits for new and used electric vehicles and hybrids ending last month.
She's encouraged by vehicles like the 2026 Nissan Leaf, for sale at just under $30,000. "When cars, new cars that are EVs, start being under $30,000 I think that makes it more available to a larger segment of the population," Nellis said.
The inaugural event was in 2022, which was organized alongside a traditional classic car show in Evansville.
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