Zero Race participants to stop in West Seattle tonight

Stars of that video are Team Trev, one of four teams currently in the Zero Race, an 80-day around-the-world renewable-energy-car race that’s officially stopping in Seattle tomorrow – but this team is due in West Seattle tonight, since participants are being hosted by local residents, as explained by Leah LaCivita via e-mail:

Founded by Louis Palmer, the first person to drive a solar-powered car around the world, the goal of Zero Race is to generate popular enthusiasm for the use of renewable energy sources for vehicles. In order to compete in Zero Race, vehicles must be propelled by an electric motor, drive approximately 156 miles at an average speed of 50 miles/hour, and carry at least two passengers. Vehicles are judged according to their speed, reliability, energy efficiency, design, safety, and utility to everyday life.

Zero Race began in Geneva, Switzerland on August 15 and will end when the teams reach Geneva again in January 2011. The race route covers a distance of 30,000 km, approximately 18,600 miles, across 16 countries. The North American leg began in Vancouver, Canada, and follows the West Coast until Los Angeles, where the route turns southeast and eventually enters Mexico. The race will also visit the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun at the end of November before returning to the European continent.

There are currently four teams in the race, hailing from Germany, Switzerland, South Korea and Australia. Team members and race organizers will spend the evening in private home throughout Seattle. Hosting them are members of the Seattle Electric Vehicle Association, (SEVA) a volunteer led educational organization that promotes the advancement and adoption of electric vehicles.

SEVA member Matt Schneider will be hosting Zero Race’s Team Trev at his Gatewood home this evening. In 2008, Schneider converted a VW Vanagon to electric power and has been commuting in it since then. He is looking forward to the visit as a chance to talk shop, but also to “check out a really cool car.”

Leah says their arrival time isn’t set yet – they’re heading down from Canada. She also says that from there, the Zero Race cars will continue to head south, stopping in Portland on Sunday. If you explore Team Trev’s website – you’ll see Trev is the car, and they’re the team from Australia.

3 Replies to "Zero Race participants to stop in West Seattle tonight"

  • ellenater November 12, 2010 (6:08 pm)

    Right on!

  • Angie November 12, 2010 (10:05 pm)

    Stop in and have an authentic Aussie Pie at The Australian Pie Co! They are on 152nd just west of 4th ave s

  • California Solar Engineering November 22, 2010 (9:42 am)

    Just saw these guys blow through LA this weekend and I’m still taken aback seeing videos of them halfway across the world. What a cool event.

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