About 50 BEVs in Christchurch display

One of New Zealand’s biggest public displays of new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) will be held in Christchurch at a two-day expo in September.

The Take Charge Christchurch Expo showcasing the latest BEVs and giving people a chance to see the vehicle technology available to make the switch from fossil-fuelled vehicles has been organised by the Christchurch City Council at the city’s Te Pae Convention Centre on September 17 and 18, free for the public to attend.

Cars, vans, off-roaders, motorcycles and mopeds will be among about 50 BEVs on show covering a range of price points.

“People are encouraged to come and inspect these zero exhaust emission vehicles, ask questions of our expert dealership exhibitors, and find out about this exciting vehicle technology,” says council resource efficiency manager Kevin Crutchley.

“There will be prizes available, courtesy of our exhibitors, including having the opportunity to go into the draw for the use of battery electric vehicles for a specified time.”

The council has set a target of halving the district’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 (excluding methane, which has a 25% reduction target) from the baseline set in the 2016-2017 financial year.

“With on-road petrol and diesel transportation making up approximately 36% of our district’s emissions, it is critical that we make the move to zero exhaust emission vehicles as soon as possible, as well as embracing other modes of zero emission transportation,” Crutchley explains.

The expo will be open to the public from 10am to 5pm, Saturday September 17, and 9am to 5pm, Sunday September 18.

Entry is via Oxford Terrace.