ElectraFest is a tradeshow-style event showcasing electric cars and other vehicles at Vancouver’s Roundhouse Community Centre in Yaletown in August.
It’s a free event and there are cool things to see!
EVENT STATUS IN 2022 & 2023
ElectraFest was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID-19. It didn’t take place in 2022 either. In 2023 there is a tiny chance that ElectraFest is going to happen again. Whether it does or not, however, is to be determined. Fingers crossed that it’ll be back, at least some year in the future!
Although the status of ElectraFest was still unknown as of the last time we checked, we know that a different electric vehicle event is happening. Fully Charged Live takes place at the Vancouver Convention Centre in September in 2023. It’s also an electric vehicle show, but covers the topic of home energy too.
ElectraFest at the Roundhouse
ElectraFest is Metro Vancouver’s only electric mobility and related sustainable technology product showcase. The event is free to attend and features electric vehicle (EV) dealerships, automakers, parts makers and installers who exhibit their products and services.
See the ElectraFest website for full details.
When and Where
In 2020 ElectraFest was going to celebrate its 25th year but in the end it got cancelled because of COVID-19, and it hasn’t happened since. Details about what’s happening in 2023 are to be confirmed.
A few years ago the event took place at Concord Pacific Place near BC Place Stadium. Since 2018, however, it has been at the Roundhouse Community Centre which is located at 181 Roundhouse Mews in Yaletown.
ElectraFest Presentation Schedule
A number of informational presentations take place indoors at the Roundhouse during ElectraFest. Below is the schedule of speakers and topics from 2019. The 2023 schedule may be similar.
- 9:40 am – Ron Burton (VEVA): Opening Ceremony
- 10:15 am – John Stonier (VEVA): EV 101 – EV Basics
- 10:45 am – Charlotte Argue (Geotab): Electric Vehicles & Connected Vehicles
- 11:15 am – Neil MacEachern (FBC): Update on Provincial EV Programs
- 11:45 am – Nicholas Sylvest (Jaguar Land Rover): Learn about Jaguar Land Rover Canada
- 12:00 pm – Sukhdeep Gill (CEL): EV Charging Installations in Multi Unit Residences
- 12:15 pm – Mohammad Akhlaghi (PLUGZIO): Cost-effective Solutions to EV Charging
- 12:30 pm – Brendon James (Metro Vancouver): Electric Vehicle Outreach in Nova Scotia
- 2:00 pm – John Stonier (VEVA): EV Basics
- 2:30 pm – Tom Woywika (North Shore Kia): Contribution of Kia to EVs
- 2:45 pm – Michael Wenzlaff (BC Hydro): Fast Charging Network
- 3:15 pm – Haakon McCallum (VEVA): 1912 Detroit Electric
- 3:45 pm – Kity Dam (Hyundai): Hyundai and its Electric Vehicles
- 4:00 pm – John Stonier (VEVA): EV Basics
- 4:30 pm – Colin Case (Honda): Sponsor Highlight
- 4:45 pm – Brendon James (Metro Vancouver): Metro Vancouver EV Programs
- 5:45 pm – Ron Burton (VEVA): Closing Ceremony
ElectraFest Displays and Activities
ElectraFest is an event that showcases electric cars and related products and technologies. It’s put on by the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association (VEVA) and offers a number of things to do and see.
Vintage Electric Vehicle Display
That’s right – electric cars aren’t a brand new invention! At ElectraFest in the past few years there has been a 1912 Detroit Electric Vehicle to admire and learn about!
Free Test Drives and Passenger Opportunities
At the event you can sign up to test drive any one of a number of different electric vehicles. Curious to learn more about the Nissan Leaf, the Chevrolet Volt or some other electric automobile? Then this is your chance!
There are electric bicycles you can test out too!
Electric Vehicle Technology Exhibits
A number of local businesses in the electric vehicle, clean energy and other sustainability industries have information booths where you can learn about their products and the latest EV and other sustainable technologies.
See further below for the list of 2019 exhibitors.
Kids Activities
There are also family-friendly activities at ElectraFest to entertain the children. There is a drop-in gym happening indoors at the Roundhouse Community Centre. Vancouver’s Science World is also often on site with a hands-on kid-friendly exhibit, as is the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre.
EV Information Sessions
If you want to learn more about Electric Vehicles, or you just love tech things, there are a number of information sessions at ElectraFest where you can learn about EV policies, market trends and details about the latest in technology.
ElectraFest Exhibitors
At the event there are vehicle displays, eBike exhibitors, electric car dealers and other industry-related exhibitors.
Vehicle displays in 2019 included a variety of Tesla models as well as the Karma Revero PHEV, Jaguar I-Pace, BMW i3, Nissan Leaf and Chevy BOLT. Also on display were the Volkswagen E-Golf, Hyundai Kona and IONIC, Kia Soul and Niro, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, and Meccanica’s SOLO and e-Roadster.
Electric bike exhibitors at ElectraFest 2019 included Vintage Iron Cycles, Urban Machina, Hill Eater Bikes, Pedego Vancouver, Ride The Glide and Motorino. Other e-bike participants were Grin Technologies, OHM Cycles, E-Bike BC, Reckless Bike Store and Trident Sport.
Electric vehicle exhibitors at the event both in 2018 and 2019 included the Dueck Auto Group, Electra Meccanica, Emotive: The Electric Vehicle Experience, KIA North Shore, Metrotown Mitsubishi, Nissan Canada and Westwood Honda. Other regular exhibitors were the Tesla Owners Club of BC, Jaguar Canada, Morrey Nissan, Karma Automotive Vancouver and Open Road Hyundai Boundary.
EV-related industry exhibitors in 2019 included Cielo Electric, Electrum Charging Solutions, FLO Energy, Foreseeson Technology, SFU Team Phantom, SV Yachts & Boats and others.
Other EV-related stakeholders and sustainability exhibitors in 2019 were the 2 Degrees Institute, BC Hydro Power Smart, BC Sustainable Energy Association, Community Energy Association, Metro Vancouver, the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association (which is the host of the event) and others.
Between all the above groups, there is a lot to see and learn about at ElectraFest.
ElectraFest Video
Below is a video that will give you an idea about what the ElectraFest event looks like.
As you’ll see in the video, there is a wide range of vehicles with displays both indoors and outside.
Tips and Advice
Below are some tips and suggestions to help you make the most out of your experience at the ElectraFest event.
TIP #1: Unless you already have an electric car, consider riding your bicycle to the event or taking public transit. The False Creek Seawall is close by, as is the Yaletown-Roundhouse SkyTrain Station.
TIP #2: Explore the surrounding area either before or after attending the event. There are some great restaurants in Yaletown, and the False Creek Seawall is an exceptional place for walks and leisurely cycle rides.
TIP #3: Sign up to test drive one of the electric vehicles. Or, if you’re too nervous to actually drive, sign up for a “ride-along.” Especially if you’ve never been in a completely electric vehicle before, the experience is worth lining up for.
TIP #4: Do you live on the North Shore, New Westminster or somewhere else with lots of hills? Then be sure to check out the electric bicycles extra closely!
TIP #5: Chat with the exhibitors and ask questions. You’ll learn lots and they’d love to chat.
Other Information
For more information about the event, check out the ElectraFest website.
For ideas on other things to do in the area, click any of the following:
