As Nova Scotia accelerates toward a cleaner, low-carbon future, one program is helping residents make the shift—one test drive at a time. Next Ride, a provincially funded program administered by Clean Foundation, is bringing electric vehicles (EVs) directly to communities across Nova Scotia, offering free test drives and hands-on education to demystify EV ownership and inspire change.
“Electric vehicles aren’t the future—they’re the now,” says Colin Robar, Program Manager for Next Ride. “We want to make sure Nova Scotians feel confident and excited about making the switch. That starts with experience.”
Since its launch, Next Ride has hosted hundreds of events across the province, from Halifax to rural communities, giving thousands of people the chance to get behind the wheel of an EV. Along with having its own EV fleet, Next Ride partners with dealerships across the province to offer test drives in the latest EV models and have their questions answered by unbiased experts. These test drives are more than just a spin around the block—they’re a gateway to understanding how EVs fit into everyday life.
Hands-On Learning, Close to Home
At a typical Next Ride event, participants can book a test drive or simply walk up and chat with the team. Knowledgeable staff are on hand to answer questions about everything from charging at home to understanding government rebates. The goal is to provide Nova Scotians considering purchasing an EV with the latest, factual information.
“We’re not selling cars,” Robar emphasizes. “We’re here to educate. We want people to ask questions, kick the tires, and leave feeling empowered to make informed choices.”
Each event is tailored to the community it serves. In addition to public test drives, Next Ride offers private presentations for workplaces, schools, and community groups. One teacher from West Kings District High School shared, “The students were engaged the whole time. We almost ran out of time because the kids had so many great questions. It was a fun way to think ahead to the future through electric cars.”
“For our Next Ride test drives, you’ll often find us at a local library or community event or festival offering test drives in two to three different EV models,” says Robar. “Our Electric Avenue events feature a larger number of vehicles and are joined by local dealers and other partners and groups actively promoting EVs and EV infrastructure – like the Electric Vehicle Association of Atlantic Canda (EVAAC), CAA Atlantic and Nova Scotia Power.”
Driving Change, One Ride at a Time
The program is making an impact. Many test drivers report that their test drive was the turning point in their decision to go electric—such as Alan Collins. “After that positive experience, I ordered a Chevrolet Bolt,” Collins shared. “Next Ride provided several other educational opportunities to me as I made the switch to electric and gave me good advice each time. This car has changed my life.”
Robar says stories like these are what fuel the team’s passion. “We’re seeing real change. People are not only buying EVs—they’re becoming advocates in their communities.”
By helping residents make the switch to EVs, and Next Ride helps contributes to the province’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building a more sustainable transportation system.
Looking Ahead
With a growing charging network across the province, an increasing number of EV models and expanded functionality (think powering your home or your camp site with your EV), have hit the mainstream.
While the bulk of Next Ride’s work focuses on personal vehicles, Robar wanted to remind Nova Scotian business owners that there are medium and heavy-duty EVs that can help them reduce fuel and maintenance costs. The province is currently offering a Medium Heavy-Duty Zero Emission (MHZEV) rebate program for public organizations (municipal government, transit authorities, charities, etc.) and private businesses looking to “electrify” their fleets.
“We’ve built trust, and now we’re building momentum,” says Robar. “Our vision is that every Nova Scotian—no matter where they live—has access to the tools and experiences they need to make informed choices about electric transportation.”
As the province continues its journey toward a cleaner, more resilient future, programs like Next Ride are proving that big change can start with something as simple as a test drive.
To learn more about owning and operating EVs in Nova Scotia and for list of upcoming Next Ride test rides across the province, visit www.nextridens.com.