The Southern Electric Vehicle Expo (SEVE) was conceived as an opportunity to view the wide variety of electric cars, trucks, carts, ATV’s, scooters and other transportation modes which are being manufactured for sale in North America.  Attendees will be able to test drive and purchase these vehicles as well as discuss opening dealerships.  Companies that convert gas or diesel powered cars to electric power will be participating along with storage battery manufacturers.  During the three-day event, there will be seminars on state-of-the-art and cutting edge technologies, applicable traffic regulations and other pertinent topics.  SEVE 2010 will be the largest display of electric vehicle technology east of the Rocky Mountains.

Why in Asheville, North Carolina?  The metropolitan area is within a 4 hour drive of more than 10 million consumers.  The residents of the greater Asheville region are among the “greenest” and some of the most affluent consumers in the United States.  For the past 20 years the area has enjoyed a reputation as an area for optimal retirement living.   Many residents of the mountains of WNC want the economical, environmentally-friendly, easy to drive advantages of EV’s. 

Why hold the SEVE 2010 in October?  October is one of the area’s prime tourist seasons due to spectacular fall foliage displays.  Local governments are committed to improving the quality of the natural environment since tourism based on the natural wonders of the region is a major industry. An area-wide goal of reducing greenhouse gases by 80% by 2050 can only be achieved by limiting vehicle emissions since there are few factories in WNC.  As a result, local governments and colleges have started to buy electric trucks, carts and other transport devices.  They also are designating stimulus funds for future purchases of EV’s.  Representatives of these agencies have been among the strongest supporters of this Expo.  They see this show as a cost-effective means of gathering information on vehicles that may meet their needs.

SEVE 2010 will be held in a new expo center being built at the WNC Agricultural Center.  This building will be ready for use in summer 2009.  It will have superior lighting, easy access to the exhibition floor and other amenities to assist in the orchestration of each event. There is adequate parking for the up to 8,000 people anticipated to attend the 3-day Expo.

Event Coordinator
Dr. Robert A. Sweeney, PhD and President of R A Sweeney & Associates, is the event coordinator.  Over the course of his 40 year career in environmental program management, environmental education and environmental consulting, Bob has managed environmental conferences that have included commercial displays.  He also has overseen the exhibit booths at more than 30 trade shows attended by the major international ecological consulting firm for which he worked for more than 15 years.  Dr. Sweeney founded SEVE in 2008, which in affiliation with the Clean Air Community Trust (CACT) enjoys 501(c)3 status.   

Firms interested in being Exhibitors at SEVE 2010 may contact Dr. Sweeney by EMAIL.

There are no advance sales of tickets.  Tickets are purchased at the WNC Agricultural Center grounds on the days of the Expo.