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COLLEGE SUPERCHARGES SWITCH TO EV
- New, Cornwall-based, live electric car show has seen tickets go so fast capacity is extended
- TV’s Robert Llewellyn from Red Dwarf and Scrapheap Challenge will host live show
- Event will explore Cornwall’s EV revolution and ask; ‘will Cornwall be ready by 2030?’
A new, live car show designed to energise Cornwall’s switch to electric vehicle technology has seen tickets go so fast, it has had to expand capacity.
Taking place at Truro College on 3 October, ‘Supercharged Cornwall’ has been driven by the team at the College’s Future Skills Institute, in association with Hawkins Motor Group.
The free-to-attend event will be hosted by TV’s Robert Llewellyn, star of Red Dwarf and Scrapheap Challenge. First allocation tickets have been snapped up by trade representatives from across the South West and now Cornwall residents have the opportunity to get the last remaining tickets at: www.truro-penwith.ac.uk/event/supercharged-cornwall.
Supercharged Cornwall will explore Cornwall’s electric vehicle (EV) revolution and the future skills needed to support a successful transition to EV technology.
The College’s £7.3million Valency building and new state-of-the-art EV Labs will host an exhibition of emerging technologies accompanied by a giant Scalextric, live DJ, food and refreshments to keep guests entertained along with opportunities to book test drives of some of the latest EV models.
A live chat show featuring a panel of experts from Cornwall’s Electric Vehicle Manufacture, Infrastructure and Education sectors will ask that all important question: ‘Will Cornwall be ready for the electric vehicle revolution in 2030?’
Actor, presenter, comedian and writer, Robert Llewellyn, best known for his roles as Kryten in TV sit-com Red Dwarf, presenter of Engineering gameshow Scrapheap Challenge and more recently the Fully Charged Show, will host Supercharged Cornwall, encouraging audience participation while drawing on the expert knowledge of the panel.
The event forms part of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce’s Planet C month, pulling together a series of events that focus on climate and social action in partnership with Green Works and sponsored by Don’t Cry Wolf.
Supercharged Cornwall is the College’s latest innovation in the Electric Vehicle sector having launched a pioneering £2.4 million Green Skills project in 2021, funded by the Department for Education’s Strategic Development Fund as part of its Skills Accelerator Programme.
The project has supported multi-million-pound investments at both Truro and Penwith Colleges to build state-of-the-art motor vehicle labs, invest in a fleet of e-vehicles, training aids and develop curriculum for the electric vehicle and emerging green technology industries to benefit Cornwall’s businesses and future workforce.
Audiences are invited to plug-into the event free of charge but must book their tickets in advance at www.truro-penwith.ac.uk/event/supercharged-cornwall.
Tom Moran, Future Skills and Business Partnership Manager at Truro and Penwith College, said: “The College is extremely excited with its plans for Supercharged Cornwall and to support Cornwall Chamber of Commerce’s Planet C initiative.
“Supercharged Cornwall promises to be a showcase of Cornwall’s electric vehicle revolution, drawing on the expertise of our partners in electric vehicle manufacture and Infrastructure to explore the work that needs to be addressed ahead of 2030 and how the College’s Future Skills Institute is spearheading the evolution of skills training for the benefit of Cornwall, local people and the future of our economy.”
TV host Robert Llewellyn said: “Thank you to the team at Truro and Penwith College’s Future Skills Institute for inviting me to host Supercharged Cornwall. We have been delving into all things EV on the Fully Charged Show and this event provides a perfect opportunity to focus on the challenges and opportunities in Cornwall’s rural community”.
James Hawkins, Director at Hawkins Motor Group which is supporting the event, added: “We are delighted to assist both the College and the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce in raising awareness, educating and promoting electric vehicles. Since 2012 we have been leading the way in Cornwall with electrification and offer the widest range of electric models in the county. We will have on display the latest key models from Peugeot, Citroen, Kia, Hyundai, MG and Nissan. Our team will be on hand to answer any questions and to book test drives after the event for those interested in experiencing our fantastic range of an electric vehicles.”
John Brown, Founder at Don’t Cry Wolf which is sponsoring Cornwall Chamber of Commerce’s Planet C month said: “Supercharged Cornwall is such an important event. Not just because it offers the public a chance to get behind the wheel of a few incredible machines, it also gives people a glimpse into what a regenerative world looks like and shines a light on the incredible facilities at Truro and Penwith College available to those looking to embark on a career in the EV world. It’s a moment for employers and potential students to be inspired, excited and ultimately take steps to building a new electrified economy.”
The College is donating all proceeds from the event’s food and refreshment sales to the Ben automotive charity; www.ben.org.uk.
For more information and to book free tickets visit www.truro-penwith.ac.uk/event/supercharged-cornwall. Employers from the sector wishing to work with the College should contact its Future Skills Institute Team on 01872 308000 or futureskills@truro-penwith.ac.uk.
