I'll admit I was a little disappointed there weren't more "big" vehicles there this year (2 converted cars, one factory EV, and more converted & factory electric bikes & trikes than I counted!), but I still would have brought the car, regardless.
Highlights of the day:
- Enjoyed answering questions and explaining to lots of people why there's a big utility light under the hood: pre-charge resistor for the controller! (Apparently it's actually a conversation starter.)
- I got a chance to "try on" the Go One electric assist velomobile. Wow. Makes me drool. So. Aero.
- At the end of the day I drove a Solectria Force sedan again, this time out on public roads. I am more impressed than ever. All I can say is anyone considering doing a highway capable conversion should also shop for a Force. I've seen them sell for $10-14k, and I hear they've gone for as little as $8k, and "project" Forces have gone for $5-6k. There's just no other way to get as technically advanced an EV for that amount of money. AC drive with regen, 220v charging (3.5 hr recharge time), impressive built-in efficiency: 250 wh/mi (135 mpge) when driven pretty much like a "normal" person.
- Got to meet EM member Sayyad... well, for the 2nd time. Sayyad showed up just after you left, Martin. I had already met him at a previous EV Expo - I remember him asking Ivan and I lots of questions about the car. I eventually put 2+2 together and the light bulb went on (the metaphorical one, not the pre-charge resistor).
- Got to check out both Martin's & Sayyad's diesel Jettas & talked over the mods they've done and the mods on their wish lists.
- Took a classic (20 year old) velomobile trike for a spin. I forget the details, but the guy who owns it knows how to do proper fiberglass work, and my first thought was: oh! Maybe he'll come on EcoModder and tutor us.
- Took Sayyad for a brief spin in the ForkenSwift when the Expo closed.