Mayor M. Patrick Balkany of Levallois, France announced in late December 2009 that the city would host the first all-electric vehicle Grand Prix race. The GP Elec Levallois is scheduled to take place in this Parisian suburb on June 4-6, 2010. Levallois plans to close streets for the road course, convert a bus depot into a makeshift garage and make space for demonstration events. This unprecedented event will launch a new series of road races called the EMXGP featuring electric race cars from around the world.
The centerpiece of the GP Elec Levallois will be a series of car races on a 1.8-mile path through the city. Event planners noted that the race route contains eight turns, a pass through a long tunnel and only a half-mile of straight roads. The electric race cars featured in the GP Elec Levallois will demonstrate that EVs offer agility, power and speed similar to gas-powered vehicles. The EMXGP and the city of Levallois also pointed out the reduction in noise pollution by electric racers at the upcoming event compared to traditional Grand Prix cars.
The GP Elec Levallois will not be limited to a series of road races along the Seine River. Observers will also witness multiple motorcycle races featuring electric bikes and prototypes slated for production over the next decade. Participating automakers and event organizers will operate demos at the Sustainable Mobility Salon. This gathering will feature explanations of how EVs operate and the environmental impacts of gas-powered vehicles. This Grand Prix event is intended for the whole family with kid friendly features like electric go-karts and live music taking place on all three days.
While the GP Elec Levallois sounds like a great event on first blush, the event’s impact on the infant EV market will depend on a number of details. Aside from Tesla Motors, EMXGP and the city of Levallois did not confirm other participants in the event. The GP Elec Levallois will only be successful if there is diversity at the starting line as green vehicle fans are already well aware of Tesla’s offerings. The success of this all-electric Grand Prix also depends on how the vehicles handle the winding 1.8-mile course. Since EVs are typically intended for crowded urban environments, a high speed race through Levallois should be more than sufficient to demonstrate the capabilities of today’s electric cars.
