Travelling Electric event a hit with locals
Renew Hunter Region Branch’s Travelling Electric event on Sunday 7 May 2023 was a big success with around 70 locals wanting to know more about electric vehicles. Thanks to everyone who came along – we hope you enjoyed it and that most of you know a bit more about electric vehicles now than you did before!
Lemon Tree Passage resident Les Pinney spoke from personal experience of owning an EV, provided us with lots of facts and figures, and dispelled some of the common myths of EV ownership.
Renew members and colleagues have a wealth of knowledge and experience between them, and several are professionals in related fields. We held a Q&A session between 6 of the EV owners and the audience, hosted by Renew committee member and EV tragic, Ian Porter. Non-stop questions from the enthusiastic audience kept the panel busy for over an hour.
The audience asked some detailed technical questions, what government subsidies are available and if it was worth buying a hybrid vehicle while charging infrastructure was still lacking. Many questions centred around how best charge the battery, and if longer trips were possible.
The EV owners on the panel were able to provide practical examples of journeys made in their EV, with no significant issues experienced. It was explained that planning the trip was essential, but with the use of the onboard computer, this was not difficult.After that, people had a great opportunity to get a close look at 14 different models of electric cars ranging from Tesla to Volvo, MG to Nissan as well as Hyundai and BYD Atto3. They spoke with the owners who were suitably proud to show off their EV and to answer questions. Specialist EV charger installer, Ryan from Fixer Electrical, was on hand to answer more detailed questions about charging options.
The Renew Hunter Region Branch was happy to host this informative session, and hope it has provided locals with the necessary information when considering an EV as their next vehicle.
This was the first event of its kind in Port Stephens and it was really interesting to hear the different perspectives and expertise of drivers and their personal experiences of owning an EV.
Many thanks to everyone who gave their time to help us host this event – the enthusiastic EV owners, Renew Hunter committee members and Tilligerry Habitat members especially Ross Hampton and Ian & Michelle Rabbit. Great support also from local group volunteers Boomerang Bags, EcoNetwork, Climate Action Port Stephens and Tilligerry Habitat. Locally owned e-bikes were on hand to show off to those considering what it’s like to cycle electric.
Websites that Les Pinney recommends as well as some of the organisations he follows:
- Study dispels the myth
- The top ten electric vehicle myths that need to be debunked
- AEVA, Reliable EV information
- Electric Vehicles aren’t new
- PlugShare
- Overview of EV Batteries – All the metals we mined 2021 – Visualisation
- Lithium Mining by Country
- Green Cars – overview of EV batteries
- Sodium Batteries
- The automaker using CATL’s sodium batteries with amazing 200wh/kg
- The future of EV battery technology
- Re-using EV batteries
- Debunking the 80/20 limits on EV battery charging: More FUD from fossil fuel industry
- Cars Guide – how many electric cars are there in Australia
- Vehicle emissions in Australia
- EV or Gas which pollutes more?
Electric Vehicle and other sustainability organisations:
- The Australia institute
- Renew Economy
- The Driven
- The Conversation
- Fully Charged Show (UK)
- The Electric Viking, YouTube channel (AU)
- Beyond Zero Emissions
- Renew (prev. the Alternative Technology Association)
- Renew – Hunter Region Branch
Useful local EV services:
- Fixer Electrical – Electric Vehicle Charging Specialists
- Newy EV rentals – Tesla and BYD Atto 3 available for rental
Useful links:
Electric Momentum – by Paul McGuire in EcoUpdate May 2023
Living with and charging an EV – by Les Pinney in EcoUpdate November 2021
Event organised by:
Renew – Hunter Region Branch
To receive news of local events, meetings and activities, email us: hunterregionbranch@renew.org.au
The Hunter Region Branch of Renew is an affiliate of EcoNetwork Port Stephens. In 2023, EcoPS is celebrating 30 years of advocacy, education and action for the environment. Sign up to our bi-monthly enewsletter – EcoUpdate.