Friday, September 01, 2023

A preview of the Fully Charged LIVE Show Program

You got it here first!  Well, at least at the same time as other published it.   

The 2023 Fully Charged LIve Vancouver, BC event, scheduled for Sep 8-10, 2023, it now live. The list of exhibitors, speakers, programmes, sessions and other activities is awesome. In full disclosure, I do work for Fully Charged LIVE and am very happy to be part of the team.  

The official link is here -> https://cdn.asp.events/CLIENT_Fully_Ch_D9042DD3_D4AB_84B3_2DCA9BBA5BF50728/sites/flc-2023-canada/media/Fully-charged-live-Canada-Event-Guide.pdf

Great reading for your long holiday weekend!

Thursday, August 31, 2023

So what is Fully Charged LIVE?  Fully Charged LIVE is an electric vehicle and renewable energy-focused event hosted by the YouTube channel "Fully Charged." The show aims to educate and engage the public about sustainable transportation, renewable energy technologies, and their environmental benefits. 

For those who care about our planet, Fully Charged LIVE likely features informative sessions, workshops, and presentations about electric vehicles (EVs), clean energy solutions, and environmental sustainability. The show can play a crucial role in disseminating accurate information and dispelling myths surrounding these topics.

The event offers attendees the opportunity to see and experience the latest advancements in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and energy storage technologies. This can contribute to raising awareness about the rapid progress in these fields.  If you are interested in reducing your CO2 footprint, this is a great place to learn.

Fully Charged LIVE is an inspiration for sustainable living. By highlighting the benefits of electric transportation and clean energy, the show could inspire individuals to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. It might motivate people to consider purchasing electric vehicles, installing solar panels, and making other environmentally conscious choices.

The event offers great opportunities for networking. Events like Fully Charged LIVE bring together enthusiasts, experts, industry professionals, and advocates from various fields. This fosters networking, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas, which can further accelerate the adoption of clean energy solutions.

FCL has many engaging presentations as well. The list of sessions is posted online, lead by BC Hydro.  The show could feature engaging presentations, demonstrations, and interactive activities that make learning about EVs and renewable energy enjoyable for attendees of all ages.

Renewable energy is a focus of the show as well. By emphasizing the benefits of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, the show contributes to increasing public support for the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives.  Note that all attendees are encouraged to travel by the least harmful manner possible and if unavoidable, to offset their GHG footprints by whatever means are available.

As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change and pollution, events like "Fully Charged LIVE" play a role in promoting solutions that can mitigate these issues. The show can contribute to a broader movement towards sustainability.  People who are experts in helping corporations understand their impact and reduce their footprints are speaking at the event. 

It's important to note that whether "Fully Charged LIVE" is the "best" show depends on individual preferences, interests, and the specific goals of the event. Different people might prioritize different aspects of the show based on what resonates with them the most. As of my last update, the show's reputation might have grown or evolved, so I recommend checking the latest reviews and information to gauge its current standing.  The details are at https://ca.fullycharged.live/programme

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Fully Charged LIVE - Vancouver, BC Sep 8-10, 2023

Well, I joined Fully Charged LIVE at the beginning of July 2023 and I am happy to say, the exhibit hall is full and we are fully on our way to an amazing show! BC Hydro, a company that has achieved stellar renewable vs non-renewable energy production, stepped up to lead the efforts and is totally engaged in making the show a huge success.  All the major EV manufacturers are there with only one or two exceptions.  Miss 604 is actively blogging leading up to the event and great companies like Sartee's, 7Gen, Fast Co (more on this in a bit), Innovabot (yes - the Eboo will launch in Vancouver!), Penguin Pickup, Vancouver Community College, Atlas-ESS, Zygg, Shaboardz, ENVO, Electrom, Ohm Cycles, Predator Designs and others including Porsche, Kia, Hyundai, etc will all be there. This is ground zero for those who want to reduce their CO2 footprints.

For anyone on the fence who also owns an EV, Fast Co is raffling off an amazing set of wheels at this event. Come by their booth to enter and have a chance to win a wicked prize!  I am personally going to be checking out the Predator helmets and I do want an eSkateboard for commuting - Shaboardz!

Here is a quick overview of Fully Charged LIVE:

Billed as the World’s Number 1 Home Energy & Electric Vehicle Show, Fully Charged LIVE (FCL) is coming to Vancouver September 8-10, 2023.  This will be one of only six Fully Charged Live events held around the world in 2023 and only one of two in North America.  The Live show was forged from the massive success of the Fully Charged Show, which started as a single Youtube Channel in 2010 that has now grown to a Clean Tech media powerhouse online and through social media with nearly 1M subscribers and over 4M views per month.  

It's unique digital first strategy delivers an audience ready to embrace and purchase new clean technologies.

FCL Canada will showcase what is new and next for electrification, renewable energy and clean technologies for consumers and businesses alike, all while hosting world class presentations from industry experts and Fully Charged personalities.  Clean Energy is what FCL is all about and with the full support of our Title Sponsor BC Hydro, FCL is working with industry, government, the private sector, sustainable leaders and industry experts to showcase everything to help electrify our lives and our future.

The event has a strong emphasis on transportation with a major focus on EV’s but including everything from e-bikes to micro-mobility, transit, commercial vehicles, marine vessels and even airplanes, all while presenting charging options, mobility planning and various related products and services. Attendees can explore and even test pilot a wide variety of transportation and mobility options of all shapes and sizes to fit their lifestyle and needs.  FCL has a variety of test drive/ride options including, an indoor/outdoor EV test drive, a LSV (Low Speed Vehicle) test drive, E-Bike track and Seawall access, and a Micro Machine test track.  

FCL also presents ways of transforming your homes and businesses to be more efficient with solar and wind technologies, battery storage, heat pumps, insulation, smart control tech and the latest and greatest for efficiency and aesthetics. The internationally celebrated feature, the Home Energy Advice Team (HEAT), presented by Vancity, will allow attendees the opportunity to book one-on-one time with industry experts to discuss their personal household considerations and plans to be more energy conscious.   

Government programs, municipal governments, trade associations, new innovations, education, fleet services, B2B connections/opportunities, will all be under the living green roof of the Vancouver Convention Centre at FCL. Our ‘whole industry approach to electrification’ ensures we are not simply an auto show nor a consumer marketplace, rather a multi-faceted platform where businesses and consumers can find real world solutions for today that will be future proof moving forward. FCL delivers a values-based audience that have their purchasing and lifestyle decisions rooted in doing better for the environment by way of clean energy solutions.  

Get your tickets now!


Tuesday, August 29, 2023

EV Batteries - Essential Knowledge for Consumers! Come to Fully Charged LIVE to learn more.

As part of evangelizing the Fully Charged LIVE event in Vancouver, BC Sep 8-10, 2023, I have many people who are going tell me they are currently not considering an EV due to several preconceptions about the batteries.   Aside from the show being a great place to learn about this, I wanted to post a few thoughts in this post to raise awareness over the key considerations.

One of the more common concerns is "What happens if you are driving on a long, lonely highway and your battery runs out of power?".   My answer is basic - "Pretty much the same thing that happens in an internal combustion engine (ICE) car when you run out of gas.  You're stranded until help arrives".   The point is that any technology has the potential to run out of energy and if you manage to not run out of gas on a regular basis, you will probably be equally adept at not running out of electrical energy. In fact, EV's will warn you a lot more than ICE vehicles as the electronics are generally far more advanced.

The second concern is the battery. Yes, there are some horror stories about batteries eventually needing to be replaced.  Here is a short primer on the lifespan of EV batteries (and batteries in general).

The lifespan of electric vehicle (EV) batteries can vary based on several factors, including the specific chemistry of the battery, how it's used, how it's charged, and the overall design and quality of the battery management system.   Here is a short list of some factors consumers might want to understand.

Battery Chemistry: Different EVs use different battery chemistries, such as lithium-ion (Li-ion), lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), and others.  Many eBikes and other Micromobility devices use similar batteries.  Specific chemistries tend to have longer lifespans and better durability than others.

Usage Patterns: How an EV/eBike is driven and recharged can impact the battery lifespan. Aggressive driving, frequent rapid acceleration, and high-speed driving can all put more stress on the battery. On the other hand, gentle driving and moderate speeds can be less taxing.

Temperature: Operating in extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can affect the performance and lifespan of EV batteries. High temperatures can accelerate battery degradation, while cold temperatures can reduce the battery's efficiency and capacity temporarily.  Research Gate has an excellent article on this topic.



Charging Habits: The way an EV is charged also matters. Rapid charging and frequent deep discharges can contribute to faster degradation. Charging to 100% and keeping the battery at a very low state of charge for extended periods can also impact battery health.

Battery Management Systems: Quality battery management systems (BMS) can help extend battery life by monitoring and controlling the charging and discharging processes, ensuring balanced cell voltages, and protecting against overcharging or over-discharging.

Technology and the future will play a big part in mitigating some of these considerations.  The EV industry (as well as cell phones, laptops, eBikes and a million other industries) is continuously working on improving battery technology, which includes developing more durable chemistries, better thermal management systems, and enhanced BMS.

So what can you do?

Many EV manufacturers provide warranties for a certain number of years or miles that guarantee a minimum amount of battery capacity retention over that period. This is a testament to their confidence in the longevity of their batteries.  When you are shopping for an EV, ensure that you are asking questions about this.

At the same time, come to Fully Charged LIVE and ask the major EV companies about replacement costs.  Eventually an EV may reach the point where the battery needs replacement. This can take several years, and by that time, technology advancements and decreasing battery costs may have made replacements more affordable but don't count on that. Ask for prices now and use those to weigh your decisions.

It's important to note that battery technology is evolving rapidly.  In general, the lifespan of modern EV batteries is expected to be quite reasonable, often surpassing 100,000 miles (160,000+ kilometers) or more before significant degradation occurs. As EV technology improves, we can expect even longer-lasting batteries in the future.  When considering costs of ICE vs EV, consider that things like timing belts, top end rebuilds, sensor replacements etc are all part of servicing an ICE vehicle and can add up.  BY comparison, EV's do require less maintenance.

Monday, August 28, 2023

Lamborghini Lanzador 1,341 BHP EV Shatters Supercar and EV Expectations Alike (In a good way)

Like all major automobile manufacturers, Lamborghini is moving toward an electric future.  The first major stake in the ground is the Lanzador concept, scheduled for arrival in 2028. The 2+2 Lanzador isn’t merely a design exercise, but rather an early look at the automaker’s first full EV entry.  From what I see, I am impressed!

The "Lanzador" sets the bar with impressive power and features to compete with models like the Ferrari Purosangue and Rolls-Royce Spectre. Lamborghini is known for its bold and powerful vehicles, and the Lanzador certainly aligns with their design philosophy.  True to its heritage, V12 or not, the Lanzador is purported to have a staggering power output of 1,341 BHP.   The 100% torque of an EV means we are likely to see some rather fast 1/4 mile times.

    

Lamborghini EV


Photo Courtesy of UK Motor 1

The Lamborghini electric vehicle represents a compelling fusion of the brand's signature performance and luxury with a sustainable, forward-looking approach. Departing from the roar of traditional ICE engines, Lamborghini's electric venture embodies a harmonious blend of cutting-edge technology and breathtaking design. With instant torque and seamless acceleration, this electric marvel promises an exhilarating driving experience while adhering to eco-conscious values.

The sleek, aerodynamic lines that define Lamborghini's aesthetic are reimagined in an electric context, exuding an aura of modernity and innovation. The silent hum of the electric powertrain doesn't diminish the unmistakable presence and aura that Lamborghini is renowned for. Inside, a futuristic cabin seamlessly integrates advanced infotainment and driver-assistance systems, ensuring that the Lamborghini electric isn't just a leap in performance but also a stride into the automotive future.