Getting the electric vehicle message across

By Barrie Hudson - 23 October 2021

Community
  • James Rens of J&M Electrobikes astride a Super Soko TC Max electric motorcycle. He also brought a vintage-style Artisan scooter and a more modern-looking Horwin scooter.

    James Rens of J&M Electrobikes astride a Super Soko TC Max electric motorcycle. He also brought a vintage-style Artisan scooter and a more modern-looking Horwin scooter.

Hundreds of people went to Lydiard Park for Swindon Borough Council's latest Electric Vehicle Discovery Day.

An electric Ford Mustang

The public were invited to meet experts, ask questions and see electric vehicles - EVs - including cars, motorcycles and bikes. 

Companies and organisations represented included Cleevely Electric Vehicles, J&M Electrobikes, Swindon Travel Choices, JustEVs and E-Motion.

Also present were members of the Southwest EV Owners Group, which advises owners and potential owners and keeps members up to date with the latest developments.

Founder Ian Tomlins said: "We help new owners of electric vehicles to understand more about their cars, the infrastructure and charging. We're all owners and volunteers, and we help people to move over to electric." 

Mr Tomlins used to have a 1.5 litre diesel car capable of 65 miles per gallon, and his 20,000 miles of driving per year cost him £450 per month in fuel alone. However, a £1.50 charge on his Nissan Leaf at home provides him with 240 miles of environmentally friendly motoring.

Also at the discovery day was Swindon Borough Councillor Keith Williams, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Finance and Commercialisation.

He said: "What we have is members of the EV community and people who sell electric vehicles. We've also got information about charging equipment. It's about encouraging people who maybe are interested in an electric vehicle to come along, have a look at many different types of cars and ask those questions that they need to have answered."

Visitors included Swindon environmentalist Glynis Hales, presenter of the Birds and the Bees programme on local radio station Swindon 105.5.

She was delighted to see so many people at the discovery day, and said: "Getting the message about electric vehicles out there is absolutely vital."

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