By Isle of Wight Observer
By Stephen Cockett - General Manager, Wight Community Energy
The world is going electric. More and more electric vehicles can be bought for the same price as their conventional counterparts, heat pumps are becoming commonplace and solar panels provide a significant portion of the nation’s power. This transition is good for the environment and, thanks to the incredibly low running costs of electric vehicles, it’s also good for people’s pockets.
If you are interested in getting on board, then the Going Electric show is the place to be on July 28th from 10 to 4pm at Newport Quay and Riverside centre.
The show is free to attend, with activities and attractions to keep visitors entertained all day; featuring the Island’s biggest exhibition of electric vehicles (EVs) and energy saving technologies plus a full day of lectures on a range of topics related to energy saving and the low-carbon future.
The Island’s automotive dealerships will showcase the latest electric cars on the market for every price bracket, from the highly luxurious to those whose prices match their conventional equivalents. Leslies Motors, Van Mossel Esplanade, Premier, Staddlestones, Snows and Central Garage will all be present displaying dozens of cars from Mercedes, Ford, Kia, Hyundai, Renault, Mazda, Toyota, VW, Volvo, Citroën, Peugeot, MG, Skoda, GWM and Tesla. In addition, Vehicle Consulting Solent will be present displaying the BYD range that is taking markets by storm and offering advice on leasing and fleet management.
Moving to the home energy section, visitors will find all the advice and products that they may need for home solar and battery storage, heat pumps and EV charging, from trusted local firms Engenius, IOW Solar, Island Renewables and Solar and Renewable Installations Ltd.
In this year’s marine section Cunningham Marine and Richardsons Yacht Services will be on hand to showcase the electric innovations that are taking place in the marine industry. Both firms are experts in marine and off-grid installations – whether you want to power boats, camper vans or the garden shed! Richardsons will have an electric tender on the pontoon to display the noise and fume free benefits of electric outboards.
There’s so much more at the show
Visitors wanting to take a break from looking around the exhibition can head into the main hall at the Riverside centre where three one-hour-long sessions on a range of topics will be delivered by local experts. See the timetable (left) for details.
Outside in the home energy section, visitors will find all the advice and products that they may need for going ahead with home solar energy generation and battery storage, heat pumps and EV charging projects from trusted local firms Engenius, IOW Solar, Island Renewables and Solar and Renewable Installations Ltd.
In this year’s marine section Cunningham Marine and Richardsons Yacht Services will be on hand to showcase the electric innovation taking place in the marine industry. Both firms are experts in marine and off-grid installations – so whether powering boats, camper vans or even the garden shed, these are the people who can do it! Richardsons will have an electric tender on the pontoon to display the noise and fume free benefits of electric outboards.
We are delighted to have WightBike return for the third year with their extensive range of E-bikes for commuting and off-road fun from brands including Haibike, Mondraker, Whisper and Moustache. Visitors will be able to test the bikes on site to get a feel for just how beneficial the addition of the small electric motor is for getting up hills!
EVO Driver Training will be present to showcase their electric learner driver cars, and the Co-op Stores will be showing off their electric delivery vehicle as they begin to transition to a fully electric local fleet.
Local business The Island Tea & Coffee Co will be serving drinks in the refreshment area and Plaza Ices will be the place to go for a solar powered ice cream. The Riverside Café will be open throughout the event for light meals.
We are happy to announce that the IW College are coming to display the electric car that they use for their motor course, plus an off grid solar, plumbing and electrical skills display, demonstrating how they are training future generations to work in the low-carbon economy.
Lastly in the exhibition area there will be half a dozen local EV owners keen to share their experiences of having EVs on the Isle of Wight. This is a great way for those who are unsure of switching to electric to get honest advice from drivers who have many tens of thousands of electric miles under their belts.
Impartial energy advice for homes and businesses
The Going Electric show proudly provides a platform for the local non-profits working in the energy saving and low-carbon sector. These organizations provide completely impartial advice that can save you money, keep you comfortable at home and lower your environmental impact.
To that end we will welcome the well-known Footprint Trust – helping Islanders save money and energy since 2002 by delivering a huge variety of energy-saving projects and energy advice.
- Future IoW CIC – on a mission to upgrade buildings for the net-zero future by helping people understand and acquire grants and material upgrades to their homes.
- Mission Zero Business Hub – supporting businesses to develop and achieve their eco-ambitions through strategic planning, creating educational materials, organising events, securing funding, and fostering knowledge-sharing for net zero goals.
- Green IW CIC – promoting their newly launched bespoke energy assessments that are available for free to Islanders!
- Keert CIC – connecting Island businesses and consumers with the lowest emission deliveries thanks to their E-cargo bikes and newly acquired electric van.
- CycleWight – local cycling advocates who do so much to champion two-wheeled travel.
And lastly hosts of the Going Electric show, Wight Community Energy, who will be on site to answer any questions you may have on a range of sustainability and energy topics and to promote their own activities which include community owned solar, bespoke energy advice sessions, thermal camera loans, Green Open Homes events and conducting electrical grid research projects.
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