Electric cars take over Place Bonaventure this weekend

For those toying with the idea of buying an electric car or just interested in seeing what they’re all about, the Montreal Electrical Vehicle Show is running this weekend at Place Bonaventure downtown. More than 25 types of electric and hybrid cars will be on display at the exposition, now in its second year, as well as electric scooters, motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles and bikes.

There will be an indoor and an outdoor track for those interested in trying out the vehicles — since many of the models don’t pump out any emissions or sound, they can be driven indoors, a rarity at car shows.

Among the highlights of this year’s show is the presentation for the first time in Canada of the highly anticipated Tesla 3, the more affordable version of the popular electric car created by Elon Musk ($45,600 before government incentives are factored in with a range up to 500 kilometres and deliveries to start this year). It will be available for a test drive on a first-come, first-served basis. Model S and Model X versions will also be on display.

Chinese car builder BYD will be there to showcase its electric car with a range of 300 kilometres for the first time in Canada.

In addition to cars, the electric and silent snowmobile built by Taiga Motors will be shown, along with electric buses and an electric version of the T-Rex threewheeled roadster built by Boucherville’s Campagna Motors.

More than 18,000 people attended last year’s show, organizers said. They are hoping for 25,000 to come out this year.

MONTREAL ELECTRICAL VEHICLE SHOW

Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and ■

Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for adults, CAA

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Quebec members $10 and free for children 12 and under.

The show is at Place Bonaventure, ■

800 de la Gauchetière St. W.

Details at svem.ebems.com

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