I recently had the chance for an interesting photo op with the ForkenSwift. It's pretty rare that we see another electric vehicle in this town, so it was even more amazing that the EV that came through was solar powered!
Of course, the solar panels don't work optimally when they're plastered with posters. The punch line of this solar car's visit is that it was being
pulled by hand (by legs? feet?) on this journey, rather than driven.
The reason: despite having driven all across North America, including up to the artic circle and over ice roads in Canada's north, Ontario is the only jurisdiction where it can't be legally driven.
So as an environmental awareness campaign, the car's owner, Marcelo da Luz, pulled it from Toronto to Ottawa in May. (
Power Of One Solar Car Project - Pull for the Environment 2012 )
I and some other locals acted as support volunteers while he was passing through our area, including driving the support vehicle (the role the ForkenSwift played for the in-town portion of the tour).
Above, going by the 1000 Islands International Bridge
Going down the parkway
Over the 2 days that I helped, we did 5 grade school presentations and one high school presentation.
Note: kids get VERY excited about solar cars!
Marcelo capped off his epic trek with a visit to Parliament Hill in Ottawa, followed by an engaging presentation to EVCO (Electric Vehicle Council of Ottawa) last Monday evening.