AEVA changes 2020 electric vehicle expo to online format

Whilst many public events for 2020 (and beyond) are being cancelled – at least one Australian EV-related one has been revived in a new and more pandemic-sensitive format.

The Australian Electric Vehicle Association flagship event for 2020 was to be the ‘2020 EV Vision’ event, slated for October 9 to 11 at the Melbourne Showgrounds. Originally intended as a showcase for hundreds of different types and models of electric vehicles and EV related services, it was to display all the shapes of the electric transport transition.

Expected to pull crowds of 10,000 or more to each day of the weekend expo, plus more to the Friday conference and awards evening, the ongoing coronavirus restrictions on public gatherings has resulted in a major rethink of the program.

However, rather than cancel it outright, AEVA has revised the format to fit within the social distancing restrictions that will likely apply throughout the rest of 2020.

The conference, now planned for September 25, promises to be even bigger than previously intended through the ability to ‘virtually’ bring in a greater range of national and international speakers.

Featuring around four streams and a number of other virtual chat-room type functions, attendees from all around Australia (and the world) will be able to listen, watch and ask questions about the latest EV world news, plans, experiences and policies, as well as book short, one-on-one online discussions with EV experts and owners.

The second major part of the original EV Vision event was the EV Expo at the Melbourne Showgrounds. In lieu of a static event and crowds coming to it, AEVA plans to take the Expo (or at least the long range electric car and light commercial van components of it) onto the road to show to the public that EVs are the vehicle of choice to travel the countryside in quiet, emission free comfort.

Called the ‘EVeco Tour’, it will be a 6 day escorted and supported full battery electric (BEV) tour group, travelling through East Gippsland and southern NSW. The EVeco Tour will be running from September 27 to October 2.

The EVeco Tour is intended to assist new EV owners to learn the ins and outs of long-range EV driving and charging.

It will also be a travelling showcase of how far EVs have come in their ability to fully replace an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicle, as well as an example of how to safely return to travel in the era of Covid – plus bring some much needed business back to the bush.

In addition, it be an exciting opportunity for the tour group (and those following it via their updates) to see the first green shoots of spring appear in some of the regions burnt during the recent bushfires.

The other (more minor) change to the event is the dates: originally intended to be October 9 – 12, the new dates are September 25 to October 3. This was done to make the Australian EV event series line up with the 10^th annual Drive Electric Week.

Begun in the US, Drive Electric Week is evolving into an international event, so it seemed fitting to make the new series of Australian events part of this movement. (Especially since the AFL and NRL grand finals are no longer running the first and last weekends of the international Drive Electric Week!)

To keep updated on the evolving program for the 2020 EV Vision conference, EVeco tour and Australian Drive Electric Week, see www.aeva.asn.au.

Public disclaimer: Bryce Gaton is a committee member of AEVA, as well as the coordinator of the 2020 EV Vision event program organising team.

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