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Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy and Environment Minister Alex Attwood literally took the car to work today, inside Parliament Buildings!
In a joint departmental event to launch ‘eDrive’, Northern Ireland Electric Vehicle Conference and Test-Drive Event, to be held at Titanic Belfast from 6 to 8 March, the Ministers’ brought one of the latest electric cars into the Great Hall in Parliament Buildings.
As well as raising a few eyebrows from onlookers, the Ministers’ aim to raise awareness from the business community, private motorists and students about the benefits electric vehicles or ecars now offer.
Danny Kennedy said: “This will be a genuinely exciting and entertaining conference aimed at everyone who wants to find out more about how they can manage the cost of business transport or private motoring and reduce harmful emissions into our environment. The event showcases the latest ecar technology that is available now across Northern Ireland.
“Over the three days, we have some very special guests coming along, including industry experts and Quentin Willson, one of Britain’s best-known motoring authorities, who is well versed on challenging government on motoring issues.
“The event has something for everyone. Wednesday 6 March is especially for Schools when around 250 invited pupils will have the chance to take part in an interactive debate. They will also have an opportunity to test drive a range of ecars when the historic Titanic Slipway will be transformed into ‘Electric Avenue’ for the day.”
Alex Attwood, focusing on Thursday 7 March aimed at the business community said: “In addition to the enormous environmental benefits we can enjoy by embracing the latest technology that electric vehicles offer, many businesses and private motorists, can realise significant savings.
“This conference is a first for the Northern Ireland business and wider community. It offers an opportunity to find out more and to discuss the ever increasing benefits of using the very latest technology and, of course, take a test drive.”
Free and open to everyone on Friday 8 March, the concluding day of the event offers the public a chance to pop-in to the ‘pop-up showroom’. As part of the exhibition of the latest electric vehicle available from manufacturers including Nissan, Renault and Vauxhall, test drives will be available during the day and to save time we advise pre-booking on line. Drivers must bring along both parts of their valid driving licence.
To find out more, to book a place on any or all of the three days, or to book a test drive, visit www.ecarni.com or phone 028 9054 1167.
