Until this showing, who knew how many EV proponents were here on the Sunshine Coast? The panel discussions after the film gave everyone a chance to ask questions and find out from EV owners just what it is like to own an electric car. There was a great response from VEVA (Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association) who brought their cars over for the event and locals with their conversions and other electric vehicles.
A very enthusiastic audience both nights. Panelists Henderson, Walker, Wissemann and Zilsel.
Fred Wisseman brought his Nissan Leaf from Victoria for the two days. He pointed out how liberating it is to never even think of a gas station again. No more gas, no more oil changes, no more polluting. The ferry fee was his main expense to come to the coast. It cost him less than $1 to travel here. "I will probably never buy another car and intend to give this Leaf to my grandchildren," he said. "When I take them for a drive, I point to a gas station and say, 'That is a gas station'."
Leaf owners Wissemann (top) and Craig Slagel answer questions about their cars.
Gibsons resident Joanna Zilsel brought her Chevy S10 truck conversion to the event. She has owned it about six years and enjoys gas free traveling. Her conversion has the traditional lead-acid batteries in the hood and rear truck bed. She says she gets around 60 km. per charge with that setup. Roberts Creek resident Pat Walker participated. He has a Toyota truck that he converted himself about 4 years ago.
However, others with the newer models reported that they are getting over 100 km. per charge. Bruce Boland drove his Leaf from Abbotsford and said he went 125 km. on his charge. He then plugged in his car while the film was being shown to recharge for his trip home. 
People were excited to see Jerry Kroll's rare Fisker Karma. One of only 100 in the world. Kroll has his own electric car company Kleen Speed and also races electric cars. His car and Sechelt Mayor John Henderson's Tesla coupe both can achieve 0-60 in about 4 seconds. 
While these cars are beautiful and impressive they also command quite a price tag, over $100,000. The Leaf is the more affordable option for the average driver at around $40,000. They are a well made car and comfortable. Much of the car's components such as the dashboard are made with recycled plastic bottle caps and bottles.
Everyone agreed the coast was a perfect place for an electric vehicle as the distances travelled are well within the vehicle charge limits. Currently there are two charging stations in Sechelt (Olson Electric and Grumpy Cat Cottage ) said Henderson, but more will be coming.
What's it going to take to see more electric cars on the roads? $5 per litre gas said the panel. As the gas prices go up, so will the interest in EVs. Also the battery technology is improving and that will bring down the cost for an EV.
As Danny Devito says in the movie, "You wanted the Internet, you are going to want an electric car".
Batman electric mountain bike conversion. Trish Gabriel and her electric bike.
