Electric Cars To Cruise Into Westport For Showcase, Rally

WESTPORT, Conn. – Area residents are invited to get an up close and personal look at more than 20 different electric cars during the first annual Westport Electric Car Club EV Road Rally and showcase on April 27.

A Tesla, similar to this one seen charging-up at the Westport train station, will be among the various electric cars seen in Westport and Fairfield during the first annual Westport Electric Car Club EV Road Rally.
Photo Credit: *Vanessa Inzitari*

by Vanessa Inzitari

04/18/2013 1:30 a.m.

Cars like the Tesla Model S, which was named the 2013 Motor Trend Car of the Year, the Tesla Roadster, Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt, Fisker Karma, Mitsubishi i-MiEV and more will be on display at Westport's Blu Parrot restaurant from 1 to 3 p.m.

“This is an exciting and timely event for the revolution of electric cars in America,” said Leo Cirino, president of the Westport Electric Car Club. “Electric cars get very little attention in this region of the country, yet Westport is a leading community in the state and nation. We invite the public to see and experience the variety of long-range electric vehicles."

Prior to the showcase, the cars will cruise through Westport and Fairfield as part of a 40-mile road rally. The rally will kick-off at 10 a.m. from the eastbound side of the Westport train station. Rally participants will make a half-hour pit stop at Fairfield Ward High School from 11:30 a.m. to noon for the annual Fairfield Earth Day Celebration.

“The Road Rally is our way of being proactive in showing that electric cars are real, practical and can make a difference in energy resource sustainability,” Westport Building Official and electric car supporter Steve Smith said.

The road rally will come to an end at approximately 1 p.m. at the Blu Parrot, 60 Charles St. At that time, local car buffs, alternative energy enthusiasts and anyone curious about how electric cars work will not only have the chance to see these cars, but talk with their owners. Representatives from electric cars dealerships will also be on-hand, and information about the solar-powered car-charging hubs that were recently unveiled at the Westport rain station will be available.

Free food and music will be provided at the Blu Parrot. The rally and showcase are free and open to all.

Electric car owners interested in participating in the rally and showcase should contact John Shuck at jshuck@optonline.net. Registration for the road rally will begin at 9 a.m. on the eastbound side of the Westport train station.

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