Electric-battery car showcase festival returns to downtown Vancouver

An electric-battery vehicle showcase festival is returning to downtown Vancouver this month for its 24th year.

See also:

• Approved legislation ensures all cars sold in BC will be clean energy by 2040
• Savings from electric vehicles are at an all-time-high: BC Hydro
• Road trip ‘range anxiety’ key barrier to electric vehicle purchases in BC: survey
• BC reduces incentives for electric vehicle rebate program
• Op-Ed: It’s a problem when most BC dealerships still don’t have electric cars

The Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association, a non-profit organization that promotes electric-battery car use in BC, is bringing back its ElectraFest to the public plaza at Roundhouse Community Centre in Yaletown.

The festival is free, and attendees can even test drive or test ride on-site models of electric-battery and hybrid vehicles, including the Chevrolet Bolt, Kia Soul, Hyundai Kona, Hyundai Ionic, Jaguar Ipace, Volkswagen e-Golf, Nissan Leaf, BMW I3, Honda Clarity, Karma Revero, and Mitsubishi Outlander. Manufacturers, dealerships, vendors, and installers will be present.

Other activities entail exhibits featuring electric vehicle technology and vintage electric vehicles that date back as far as 1912.

Kids can also participate in the Slot Car Grand Prix or experience Science World’s ‘On The Road’ display.

“We love watching the number of attendees at ElectraFest grow year over year, and this year is no exception,” said Ron Burton, president of VEVA, in a statement.

“With both the federal and provincial governments providing support and incentives to those embracing sustainability through purchasing electric vehicles, the need to educate and support both VEVA’s members and the community at large is pertinent. ElectraFest enables our organization to educate Canadians as to how the industry is evolving, and to provide a vision for what the future holds.”

There has been a quicker uptake of electric-battery cars in BC in recent years due to new incentives for buyers, the growing availability of charging infrastructure on both public and private property across the province, rising fuel costs, and changing attitudes over environmental impact.

Electric-battery car sales are expected to increase exponentially in the years ahead, as more drivers replace their ageing vehicles.

As well, the provincial government has mandated 100% clean energy vehicle sales by 2040.

ElectraFest Vancouver 2019

When: Saturday, August 24, 2019
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Roundhouse Community Centre — 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
Tickets: Free