27 September 2009

Australia’s 1st National Electric Vehicle Festival



takes place in Canberra this coming long weekend featuring the Ferrari slaying electric Tesla from the USA.


Like a music festival, Australia’s first national electric vehicle festival delivers one main act – the Ferrari slaying Tesla Roadster – and is supported by plenty of interesting, solid support acts, such as: the 1917 vintage Detroit Electric; incredible electric motorbikes (like Vectrix, who will soon be selling bikes in Canberra); conversions of petrol powered cars; as well as the infrastructure needed for an electric vehicle world. It will be a great gig.

The main attraction for the festival will undoubtedly be the incredible Tesla Roadster that can sprint from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds. That is Ferrari beating acceleration, from a car that has maximum torque at 0 km/h. There is only one Tesla in Australia and its biggest public appearance will be at the festival; on the lawns in front of Old Parliament House on Sunday 4 October, from 9am to 4pm.

“The Tesla is the first guilt-free high-performance sports car of our time. There is little else to say, it’s a dream. It pushes your stomach into the back of the seat with renewable energy, giving you a guilt-free adrenalin hit. I want to see them on our roads,” said Ivan Slavich, Chairman of the ACT Electric Vehicle Council and executive at ActewAGL, the ACT’s energy and water utility.

Electric vehicles have been in the margin of the automotive industry since cars arrived on history’s pages. Until now. Many enthusiasts have undertaken incredible conversions and there are now viable conversion businesses operating in Australia, who will also be at the festival.

“Electric vehicles are finally coming of age. Conceptually, they have always been smarter than internal combustion technology, but their stars have not been aligned until now. It seems we are finally at a turning point. The technology is viable, the capital is now willing, and the market’s appetite, driven by climate change adaptation, is at last ready for better vehicles,” said Julia McDonald, engineer and member of the ACT Electric Vehicle Council.

Special note: In advance of the Festival, on Thursday morning, 1 October, a track comparison is being planned between the Telsa and an equally impressive, Audi R8 on the Hill-climb track at Sutton Road, between the Canberra Airport and Queanbeyan. Stay tuned for more details.

For more information on the ACT Electric Vehicle Council go to: www.electricvehiclecouncil.com.au

For more information on the Electric Vehicle Festival go to: www.electricvehiclefestival.com.au

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