Museum Probes the Future with Electric Vehicle Expo

A SHOWCASE of electric vehicles will take place in Alford this Saturday.

Grampian Transport Museum is holding its second Electric Vehicle (EV) Exposition, providing an opportunity for enthusiasts to gather and share their experiences of what is the fastest growing section of motoring world-wide.

This year’s event is being run in support of the museum's Probing the Future exhibition and has attracted the attention of two leading electric vehicle manufacturers.

Tesla are attending with their full range, including the recently released new Model 3, and Peter Vardy Jaguar will be bringing along the new electric Jaguar I-PACE.

Last year, the museum held its first EV Exposition in support of its It's Electric exhibition, telling the story of how Aberdeen chemist Robert Davidson is historically recorded as the first person in the world to create an electrically powered carriage. In 1839, the machine ‘carried two people across the rough wooden floor’ of his Canal Street workshop.

Museum curator Mike Ward said: "This event began as a gathering of local electric car owners to share their ownership experiences with local people who are considering the benefits of zero emissions motoring but who might be unsure how it all works in real life.

"This year’s event takes it one step further, with Tesla bringing their exciting new Model 3 and Jaguar their highly acclaimed Jaguar I-PACE which is currently selling in very high numbers in the USA. Their support means a lot to the museum, it is recognition of the relevance and topicality of our Probing the Future exhibition which brings museum visitors right up to speed with the development of electric and autonomous vehicles.

"Tesla, Peter Vardy Jaguar and a number of our event entrants have also kindly offered to give visitors who are seriously considering EV ownership a passenger trip in some of their cars around our arena to enable them to experience for themselves the benefits of travelling with zero emissions and the environmental benefits that will ensue.

"All owners of pure electric cars will be welcome to bring their vehicles into the arena join in the event, they will be made very welcome."

Entrance to the EV Expo is open to all museum visitors for no extra charge between noon and 4pm, with the passenger trips, by arrangement, between 2-4pm.

In 2010, the museum installed the first EV charging points in Aberdeenshire. It will have three charging points available tomorrow for owners who bring their EV’s – a 3-pin, Commando and 7Kw Type 2. The nearby Alford public car park has a 2-bay EV charging point which has three connection options of Type2, CCS and Chademo.

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