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"Number of converts" after electric vehicle expo in Alford


By Jonathan Clark

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MORE than 200 people took their first ride in an electric car at the Grampian Transport Museum’s electric vehicle expo in Alford on Saturday, July 27.

Event coordinator Neil Thomson was pleased with the day and says he is sure there will be a number of "converts" to electric vehicles.

A total of 17 full electric, zero emission, cars were at the expo, including Nissan Leaf and Leaf Van, Renault Zoe, BMW i3 and the full Tesla range.

A hi-tech Tesla Model X welcomes passengers through unique gull-wing rear doors
A hi-tech Tesla Model X welcomes passengers through unique gull-wing rear doors

The public had the opportunity to learn from owners what it is like living with an electric car from day to day.

David Hunter, who brought his Nissan Leaf along, explained a few things, touching on the problem re-charging. He said: "There is a ‘charging etiquette’ developing which enables maximum use of the still limited number of charging points.

"If you know that your car needs an hour’s charge then you should return to it after the hour and move it to enable somebody else to use the charge point.

"Nobody would dream of filling their petrol engine car’s fuel tank then leaving the car blocking the pump while doing the shopping.

"Electric re-charging takes longer and most people will want to make good use of that time but it is important to learn to discipline yourself to return and free up the charger as soon as practical.

The charging problem might soon change, though. Mr Hunter added: "However, this is all changing rapidly with the battery and charging technology already available to enable an 10 minute re-charge for 100 miles."

During the afternoon, interested members of the public were treated to rides around the museum’s arena to experience travelling in a range of the cars.

Museum assistant curator and event coordinator Neil Thomson was very pleased with their reaction. He said: "This has been a real eye-opener for many of our visitors today. It was an event aimed at people who have been perhaps thinking of an electric car but who were unsure what it is like to live with one.

"I am sure there are a number of converts to EVs from today to the future benefit of our environment. I’d like to thank all the owners who brought their cars and we already have plans to build on this event in 2020."

The Jaguar I-PACE
The Jaguar I-PACE

The event was held as part of the museum’s ‘probing the future’ exhibition which explains the transport revolution currently under way with electric and autonomous cars. The exhibition has support from leading motoring, energy and technology companies, including BMW, Tesla and BP.

It showcases vehicle and infrastructure developments which will lead to zero emissions travel and the transition towards ever higher levels of ‘driverless’ vehicle autonomy.

The exhibition is open seven days/week 10am-5pm with more details at www.gtm.org.uk.


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