JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville families got a chance to see the future of driving on Saturday as JEA and Florida State College (FSCJ) at Jacksonville teamed up for a free electric vehicle (EV) car show and student races at the FSCJ Cecil Center.

The community event featured more than 25 of the newest electric models from eight different manufacturers, all available for test drives.

About 20 school teams competed in the First Coast Electrathon Race, where students pushed their custom-built electric cars to see who could get the most laps out of a single charge.

One student racer, Logan, said these competitions are about more than racing:

“I believe getting students more interested and electric vehicles in school themselves in high school and college will give them a pathway to more future jobs because as we know, the electric industry is only expanding,” said Logan.

Organizers tell First Coast News the event was also about highlighting cost savings for people thinking about making the switch to an EV. With the federal tax credit for electric vehicles set to expire Sept. 30, time is running out for buyers to take advantage.

Dave McKee, Program Manager with JEA, explained how the credit works.

“There is still time to buy an electric vehicle and get the tax credit. If you buy the electric vehicle, you get a contract signed and you make a payment or trade a vehicle in by the end of this month, by Sept. 30  you can still qualify for the tax credit,” said McKee.

McKee added that electric vehicles can help lower household costs while also benefiting the environment.

“This is an opportunity for us to increase awareness of electric vehicles, and that is a way for consumers to cut the number two household expense, which is transportation. They can lower that household expense by going electric and it’s great for the environment,” said Mckee.

For JEA, the event was about showing families that EVs aren’t just the future — they’re a smart, practical choice.