For anyone harbouring any doubts about whether electric cars are a good thing or a good choice for your next car, get along to the Nevo Electric Vehicle Show, in partnership with Bank Of Ireland, coming up at the RDS in Dublin on Sunday the 10th of November.
The show, run by Ireland’s only dedicated electric vehicle platform Nevo.ie, is enjoying its second running, and it’s looking to double the number of electric-interested or electric-agnostic visitors. This time around there will be an expected 35,000 visitors to the show, who will all get the chance to see the wares of 32 brands, over 80 vehicles on display and 14 vehicles which are entirely new to the Irish market.
Chief amongst those is the new Renault 5 E-Tech, an affordable battery-powered hatchback that plays some adorable styling riffs on the looks of the classic 1980s Renault 5 hatch.
Other than being bigger and better, what else is new for this running of the Nevo show? Simon Andreucetti, Nevo’s commercial director, told The Irish Times that: “The November event will see the Nevo EV Show double in size, with over 80 vehicles on display from 32 brands, and 20 vehicles available at the SSE Airtricity Test Drive Event. We are delighted to report that all automotive brands will be in attendance, showcasing their latest models and the upcoming 251 sales offers, along with some exclusive show deals. Additionally, a record number of new vehicle launches will take place on the day, including the Renault 5 E-Tech electric, Ford Capri, Kia EV3, Dacia Spring, and many more. It will also bring together Ireland’s leading solar, public, and home charging companies, providing visitors a valuable addition to closing the knowledge gap on charging and day-to-day running costs.”
If affording an electric car is your worry, well it probably helps that Bank of Ireland is a major supporter of the event, and will have a major presence at the show. Karen Kennedy, customer development and innovation at Bank of Ireland, said: “Our partnership with Nevo underlines Bank of Ireland’s support for customers continuing to educate themselves before making the transition to electric driving. The popularity of the Electric Vehicle Show highlights the massive public appetite for transitioning to electric motoring, with a huge number of people opting for financing as a seamless way into owning and driving an electric vehicle. Bank of Ireland Finance experts will be on hand at the show and will be happy to answer any questions or queries that people may have.”
Checking out all the shiny new cars makes for a pleasant day out, but of course the Nevo show has a rather more serious underlying intent - getting more and more Irish drivers into electric cars will help the country make huge strides towards meeting our carbon emissions reduction goals, hence why the Government’s special Zero Emissions Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) team will be there, helping to inform and encourage.
ZEVI’s Paul Farrell reiterated the Government’s support for electric vehicles in the run-up to the show: “As Ireland transitions to a more sustainable future, EVs have emerged as a key component of reducing carbon emissions in the transport sector. The Government, through Zero Emission Infrastructure Ireland, are fully committed to supporting the switch to zero-emission vehicles and are investing €100 million in EV infrastructure up to 2025, while maintaining the generous range of vehicle incentives.”
As the upcoming Nevo Electric Vehicle Show demonstrates, with further improvements in technology and more brands and models entering the Irish market, offering more options and possibilities, Farrell foresees “more drivers will choose electric, as the industry continues to deliver a wider variety of EVs to suit all needs and we transition from the early adopter to the mainstream majority”.
One of the biggest incentives to move to electric motoring is the potentially huge cost saving you can make by charging up an EV at home and removing yourself from petrol and diesel price volatility. Learning the language of charging will be a big challenge for all of us, but to help, SSE Airtricity will be at the Nevo show, and David Manning, marketing director, SSE Airtricity said: “Customers are looking for practical solutions to help them reduce their carbon emissions and save on running costs. We’re looking forward to attending this year’s Nevo EV Show and showcasing how we can help. From home charging infrastructure including solar panels and batteries, to EnergiHub - our innovative app that makes charging at home cheaper and easier. And with our new fast charging hubs around Ireland, we’re helping to fuel a cleaner, greener journey for those longer drives.”
A key way to engage the audience, is education, said Derek Reilly, partnership director Nevo,ie. “Technology has advanced by leaps and bounds in just a few short years. Consumers now have access to new vehicles that will comfortably meet their everyday motoring needs. The Irish market will soon see the first wave of used electric vehicles coming off PCP cycles in the coming months - these will be high-quality used vehicles, ripe with value for their next owners. Additionally, 2025 will bring a surge in charging hubs and networks, making national driving effortless for electric models. We encourage anyone who is undecided about electric vehicles to attend the November show to meet and speak with the experts and learn more. It’s a free event for everyone, and you simply need to register for your free ticket on Nevo.ie.”
Reilly is mostly just excited to see the event come to life and watch visitors experience the latest electric vehicle models entering the Irish market. “We know firsthand that consumers are excited about electric vehicles and the latest technology. Our automotive partners, along with the diverse range of exhibitors directly involved in the electric vehicle industry, are equally enthusiastic about the future and the many benefits it has to offer.”
To register for your free ticket visit nevo.ie. Nevo is part of the Drive Inc. Group, an ACV Company which includes Nevo.ie and TradeBid.ie