Stories & Features

Test drives, expert panels, and advice at the 2024 show in Vancouver

Don't be confused by the name change. The world's No. 1 electric vehicle and home energy show is back at the Vancouver Convention Centre September 6 to 8, powered by lead sponsor BC Hydro and the UK-based Fully Charged team.

What was Fully Charged Live Canada a year ago has been renamed Everything Electric Canada. It's a move to more accurately message that this show is all about using electricity – our clean and renewable electricity – to power our lives.

"The Vancouver Convention Centre is the nicest and most picturesque location that we go to globally, and there was just so much enthusiasm from the public at last year's show," says Jack Scarlett, a Fully Charged YouTuber and expert panel presenter at live events around the world. "From our point of view, we can't wait to see how things have moved along in B.C. since we were last there, and to hear experiences from people who are going on this journey of electrification."

Scarlett say that while the final lineup of cars and booths is not yet complete, the show should be roughly twice the size of 2023’s inaugural show.

"We estimate that we've got 20-plus [auto manufacturers] attending, including a few that are especially hard to pin down," he says.

Among the automakers at the show –  most with select models for test drives – are Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Mitsubishi, Polestar, Tesla, Toyota, VW and Volvo.

Use the promo code BCHEV2024 to get 50% off tickets

Whether you're in for a single-day pass or opt for a 3-day pass, use the promo code BCHEV2024 to get 50% off the online purchase of Everything Electric Canada tickets.

Think you couldn't possibly keep busy for three days at the event? Think again. The line-up of expert panel discussions changes daily, and there are a whole lot of cars, e-bikes, e-scooters and skateboards to test drive or ride. And you can bring the kids, as there's a series of eco-themed activities for all ages – and some delicious snacks and drinks to keep everyone energized.

A big hit at last year's show was the enormous presence of a logging truck converted to electric by Merritt, B.C.'s Edison Motors. This year's Commercial Vehicle Zone will again be jam packed with everything from electric transit vans and buses to agricultural EVs.

Here are five things NOT to miss at Everything Electric Canada:

1. Experts diving deep into how-tos and hot topics

With more than 50 live expert panels [PDF] on two theatre stages over three days, choose wisely.

Do you arrive early Friday for Heat Pumps: Everything you wanted to know, take a few test drives and then attend Electric Vehicle Charging for Businesses?

Do you take in a Saturday triple-header of Now We’re Cooking Without Gas (induction cooking), Home Energy Hacks, and Car Charging Made Easy?

Or do you zero in on Sunday and sessions including Everything You Need to Know about E-bikes and Micro Mobility, Choosing Your First Electric Vehicle, Can Waterborne Vessels and Electricity Mix?, and Reducing Your Energy Bills?

See the full list of all theatre sessions [PDF]

2. Test runs of e-bikes and more at the Micro Mobility Test Track

Your daily commute or weekend fun is about to change. The latest electric commuter bikes and mountain bikes share the spotlight on the Micro Mobility Test Track with e-scooters and e-skateboards.

"There will be a bunch of e-bikes to test ride, and we have a panel discussion on micro mobility," says Scarlett, who says he spends more time on his electric bike in London than in his electric car. "We'll be discussing how to make it make sense for more people, because we all know that it's just about the nicest way to get to work."

3. Advice on having a greener, cleaner home that saves energy

As soon as you arrive at the show, book an Ask An Energy Expert session with a BC Hydro specialist who can help you with virtually any home energy topic. You'll get advice along with details on existing rebates to make your home more efficient and comfortable.

Topics include:

• Heat pumps
• Insulation
• Battery storage systems and rebates
• Smart meters
• Home EV charging
• Solar photovoltaic systems and rebates
• Solar thermal systems

"The Ask An Energy Expert booth is always super popular and really, really busy throughout the show," says Scarlett. "Plenty of people come to these shows who already have an electric car, and they're looking for the next step on their sustainability journey, whether that’s a heat pump to replace their gas furnace, or fitting an array of solar panels on their rooftop."

4. Get behind the wheel of a Lexus, Volvo, Volkswagen, and more

Want an idea of what's in store at the EV Test Drive Experience? Here's a visitor review from last year's show:

"I arrived expecting to test drive older models around a short circuit. What I did not expect to experience were multiple test drives out on the main roads giving me a great opportunity to ask questions, and understand the technology behind EVs, surpassing all expectations."

This year's test drives are going to be popular, so with test drives booked on a first-come, first-served basis, get their early (and maybe over multiple days).

On the list so far for test drives are vehicles including Volkswagen's I.D.4 and I.D. Buzz. Other manufacturers in the spotlight include Hyundai, Lexus, Ford, Toyota, Polestar, General Motors, KIA, and Volvo. With so many cars to drive, many people choose to attend for at least two of the three days so they can spend a day focusing on test drives.

5. Electric Launchpad: the latest EV models on display

Everything Electric is so much more than an auto show, but for many of us, the latest and greatest models are the big attraction. You'll see Canada's best selection of world car of the year winners, up-and-comers, and lightning quick electric sports cars. Consider marrying that experience to Sunday's Ask an Expert: Choosing Your First Electric Vehicle (new or used) session, which will be hosted by Scarlett.

"We'll go over all the essential differences of buying an electric car versus buying a gas car," says Scarlett. "How much range is enough range? How do I get a sense of the real-world range of an electric car compared to this kind of useless number that the brands are throwing at me? What's a beginner's guide to charging or a beginner's guide to selecting a home charger?"

"But what I really like to do in those sessions is open it up to the floor and kind of make it a Q & A, because I'm very happy to answer very specific questions about people's very specific situations, and no question is too
dumb."