Electricity was Cooking at NJEVA's Kilowatt Cookout
On Sunday, August 10, 2025, the New Jersey Electric Vehicle Association (NJEVA) hosted the Kilowatt Cookout at the scenic Pine Grove Pavilion in Colonial Park, New Jersey. The event was a tremendous success, drawing a crowd of 80 participants, ranging from EV drivers and enthusiasts to those curious about driving electric. The primary goal of the Kilowatt Cookout was to demonstrate the incredible versatility of EVs, particularly their Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capabilities. V2L allows EVs to function as mobile power sources and attendees were treated to an electrifying display.
The event featured a live Tech Showcase where several EVs powered the entire cookout:
A Hyundai Ioniq 5 handled grill duties, powering the cooking of burgers and hot dogs from an electric grill.
A Kia EV6 provided the party atmosphere, powering the sound system, an electric cooler, and a blender making frozen lemonades.
A Genesis GV60 powered a microwave and oven, serving up hot pigs in a blanket and pretzels.
In a demonstration of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) charging, a Lucid Air was used to charge a Kia EV6.
The crowd pleaser was the arrival of two Tesla Cybertrucks from the Columbia Inn, which operated as a mobile kitchen. They served fresh, on-site selections, ranging from plain, pepperoni, sausage, and margarita pizza to shrimp tacos and sliders, showcasing a perfect example of commercial EV adoption.
Throughout the event, EV drivers powering the Tech Showcase talked about the versatility of EVs for tailgating, camping, and even emergency backup for their homes. The organizer of the event, Ashley Lynn Qua (Policy Lead for the NJEVA), informed attendees about her own experience. “I use my Kia EV6’s V2L functionality for camping trips, but when a three-day outage impacted my home, it became an emergency lifeline, keeping our fridge and freezers running. Having power when I want it and when I need it most is why I'm an EV driver.”
The Electric Avenue static display area featured an outstanding lineup of vehicles, with some owners traveling from as far as three hours away to participate. Rows of vehicles from every price point, size, and style filled the parking lot, with many drivers popping their hoods and inviting participants to take a look inside.
At the pavilion, guests enjoyed music, picked up informational flyers, and received giveaways. NJEVA also promoted the 10k Rides Campaign, EVA and Generation180’s initiative to encourage EV adoption through ride-and-drive experiences.
The Kilowatt Cookout successfully demonstrated that electric vehicles are more than just transportation; they are versatile tools for recreation, work, and even emergency power!
