Margie Maccoll
Thousands wandered up and down Sunshine Beach Road, Noosa Junction last Sunday on a spectacular sun-fuelled winter’s morning to view the latest in everything electric from luxury vehicles to electrifying homes and businesses at the annual EV and Electrify Everything Expo.
More than 60 exhibitors showcases EVs and e-bikes to solar panels, household batteries, heat pumps, pool heating and pumps, induction cookers and more, Zero Emissions Noosa chair Anne Kennedy said.
Among the exhibitors was Ian and Carlia Wilson who brought with them their Huon-pine hulled 1940s built electric boat. Powered by a Bellmarine 3kw Eco Line 48V electric motor, the vessel can travel a comfortable 4knots/hr for about seven hours along the river or an hour and a half ‘flat out’.
Tim Arndt travelled from Sydney to promote the benefits of the Australian-made FONZ electric motorbike. Local resident Dan, who has owned one for two years “loves it”. Not only has he adorned its side panels with his own artwork, Dan said it had plenty of pep to scale the hinterland hills, its design attracted lots of attention and it was an easy four-hour charge to fuel.
UQ Racing Formula SAE team, currently the number one electric racing car team in Australia, were proud to promote their student-designed and built, 600-watt powered vehicle. Each year various universities build the racing cars as an extracurricular activity and pit them against each other.
Kieran Harvey of Team Arrow told visitors about their solar-powered entry in the Darwin to Adelaide race. Travelling 600km on a single battery the one-person vehicle performed well on solar-powered panels on its 3000km journey, he said.
Many people came to the expo to learn about the latest in EV vehicles and test drive some e-bikes.
Ecotekk’s Stuart Whitney, who has been selling e-bikes in Noosa for the past decade, said people of all ages were looking at e-bikes for a range of health and cost effective reasons.
“We’re getting people referred from doctors for the health benefits, both mental and physical,” he said. “People are transitioning to enjoying cycling without maximum effort. We’re getting families who want bikes to get the kids to school instead of using cars.”
For more information visit zeroemissionsnoosa.com.au
