Crowds Turn Out for Electric Vehicle Exhibit at Central Park
Jim Carchidi
Electric vehicles took center stage at Winter Park's inaugural Sustainability Fair and EV Car Show on Saturday, Sept. 24. Photos by: Jim Carchidi
Central Park West Meadow became an electrified transportation showroom during Winter Park’s inaugural Sustainability Fair and EV Car Show on Saturday, Sept. 24.
More than 30 vehicles were on display with several on loan from members of the community, while others were exhibited courtesy of Holler Hyundai and Audi North Orlando dealerships. The lineup featured the fully-electric Super Air Nautique GS22E ski boat, and a 1974 Electric Citicar owned and restored by Harry Armstrong of Lockhart.
Mayor Phil Anderson dedicated the event and proclaimed Sept. 23-Oct. 2 to be National Drive Electric Week in the city of Winter Park. Vice Mayor Todd Weaver, who helped organize the event, spoke of the importance of electrified transportation to the city’s efforts toward sustainability.
“The world we live in has moved past fossil fuels and internal combustion chambers,” he said, adding that the city plans to increase its electric fleet by 137% in the next year.
According to Gloria Eby, director of Winter Park’s Natural Resources & Sustainability Department, the overwhelming response has inspired plans to “expand the location to an area where we are able to host more cars next year.”
Electric car enthusiasts make their way past a collection of more than 30 vehicles at Saturday’s inaugural Sustainability Fair and EV Car Show in Central Park West Meadow.Art Pagenkemper shows off his three-wheeled Arcimoto. Registered as a motorcycle, the vehicle can reach a speed of 85 mph. and gets 75 miles per battery charge.The EVA Ribelle electric motorcycle by Italy-based Energica Motor Company uses a Lithium-polymer battery and can get 249 miles per charge in the city, and 112 miles on the highway.Vice Mayor Todd Weaver stands by a Nissan Leaf city fleet vehicle as he discusses efforts to add more electric vehicles and equipment to city operations and services.The all-electric Porsche Taycan Turbo S can go from zero to 60 mph in 2.4 seconds.A green 2022 MINI Cooper SE makes a green statement with an ability to go 114 miles per change. The Super Air Nautique GS22E ski boat gets lots of attention.The boat is Nautique Boat Company’s first 100% electric model and allows for 2 to 3 hours of use per charge, and can be recharged in 90 minutes. Attendees beat the heat with free Kona Ice.Green messaging brings the point home.A whimsical yet poignant display by the Central Florida Electric Vehicle Association.The Tesla Model X sports some serious retro vibes with its gullwing doors.Guests gather around the most vintage model of the event: a fully restored 1974 Electric Citicar, originally manufactured by the Sebring-Vanguard company of Sebring, FL.Owner Harry Armstrong took on the challenge of the 8 month restoration project, which included a complete overhaul of the electrical system and extensive body panel fabrication.
