Parents for Climate hosted an electric vehicle show and tell event at RoseyRavelston Books in Lawson.
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Held on April 20, locals brought their electric vehicles to display, including electric cars such as Teslas, BYDs, a Hyundai Ioniq, a Fiat 500 EV, an MG, and a Nissan Leaf. There was also a cargo e-bike.
About 60 people attended with some travelling from Sydney especially for the occasion.
Attendees discussed the vehicles on display before heading inside to hear from guest speakers who talked about the challenges and opportunities around the energy transition.
Questions such as "But aren't they too expensive?", "Won't I run out of charge on long trips?", "How long will the battery last?" and "Is this really more sustainable?" were answered by an experienced panel.
The panel included environmental campaigner Jon Dee, Shani Tager (350 Australia), Evan Beaver (Charge Team), and Dr Declan Kuch (Western Sydney University).
Attendee Sheila Annis found the event interesting.
"I already wanted an electric vehicle but it was so great to get all the myths about 'why not' dispelled," she said.
Event organiser and co-leader of Parents for Climate - Blue Mountains, Dr Liora Ballin, said the practical event was about starting "more serious conversations in our community about the climate crisis and our collective response to it".
"We know that buying electric vehicles isn't enough on its own. We need an equitable and just energy transition to ensure a safe climate for our kids."
Dr Kuch said private electric vehicles were an exciting development but "come with costs we need to talk openly about".
"Drivers should recognise the privileges they have compared to other road users; consider sharing access to the car when not in use; and push the federal government to enact standards so the car batteries can help the grid when needed."
Sustainability expert Jon Dee said there had been "a lot of misinformation in Australia about electric cars".
"As a result, people are only just starting to become aware of how much money you can save on petrol, running costs, maintenance and repairs," he said.
"If you use solar power to charge your electric car, the savings increase even more."
Cheaper electric cars were finally coming on the market, making it easier for people to make the switch, he added.
The next electric vehicle show and tell will be held on Saturday, July 27 from 10am-12noon at RoseyRavelston Books, 1 Badgery Cres, Lawson.
If you have any kind of electric vehicle and would like to participate in the event, contact bluemountains@ap4ca.org.