Electric Car Rally Next Week

Owners and fans of electric vehicles are staging what they’re calling the first electric car rally in Honolulu next Thursday, Dec. 30. Organizers of “The EVent in the Park” are inviting the public to celebrate the start of the “Year of the Electric Car.”

Now, it seems every year over the past few years has been declared the “Year of the Electric Car” (2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010). But 2011 may really qualify. There are several electric cars from major manufacturers due to hit the road next year, including the Nissan Leaf, the Chevy Volt, and electric versions of the Ford Focus and Honda Fit.

The rally actually starts at 9 a.m., with people invited to add their electric vehicles, hybrids, and bicycles (“the original zero-emission vehicles”) to a caravan that will start at the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island, and travel through Kaneohe, Kailua, Hawaii Kai, and Kahala.

At 1 p.m., the parade of vehicles will connect with a green energy fun run at Kapiolani Park, which will be routed through Ala Moana Park before reaching Mother Waldron Park in Kakaako.

The afternoon rally in the park will feature live music by Makana, organic food, and guest speaker Dan Davids, president of PluginAmerica.org.

Finally, after the sun sets, there will be a special benefit showing of “Who Killed the Electric Car” at Pipeline Cafe. Admission is $10 (or $5 with military ID).

Proceeds from the event will benefit PluginAmerica.org and the Blue Planet Foundation.

For more information, visit the Green Energy Outlet website, or download the flyer [PDF].