Once the home of Michigan’s only self-proclaimed King, Beaver Island, the largest island in Lake Michigan and located 30 miles off Michigan’s northern tip, will play host to its own inaugural electric car show on June 27th and 28th.

An electric-friendly environment and $5.49 gas

If Detroit is the center of the automotive universe here in the U.S., then that would make Beaver Island one of the furthest points from it – both from a geographical as well as a philosophical point of view. Detroit is home to the major American auto manufacturers, a school system that is currently $400 million in the red and an international airport. Beaver Island has one school with 78 students and an airport that averages 25 flights per day. Even those of us living in Michigan would have an easier time finding Waldo than locating Beaver Island on a map.

But the residents of this small island have 2 things (3 if you count a solvent school system) that Detroiters don’t have – spectacular views of Lake Michigan, and a car show devoted exclusively to electric cars. These aren’t the dream cars and concept vehicles like those shown at the Detroit Auto Show, but actual vehicles that are available on the market today. Most of them are designed for urban areas and retirement communities – a rush hour foray on Detroit's I-696 would be near suicide.

Due to its size (about the size of the San Francisco peninsula), Beaver Island is the perfect place for this kind of transportation. Most of these cars have a 25 mile range (convenience charging can extend that range up to 40 miles), making them ideal for everyday use. The island currently (no pun intended) has six free charging stations with the ultimate goal of having at least twice that number located around the perimeter of the island. “Free” might also be an additional incentive for purchasing an EV (Electric Vehicle), since gas is shipped by barge to the island and is currently selling for $5.49 a gallon.

The auto show cars, 13 by the most recent count, will also be arriving by ferry. According to event organizer Dan Wardlow, “It'll be quite a spectacle to see all those EVs come off the boat at once. We're hoping to show Islanders that a variety of EVs are available right now, and that they present viable and clean transportation alternatives for our community,” he added. “It will be a great opportunity to see a wide variety of cars and trucks without even leaving the Island.”

Auto Show Vehicles

If you happen to make your way up to Beaver Island for the show, here’s a preview of the vehicles you’ll be seeing:

ZAP Xebra

Zap Xebra

 

The Xebra, available with a striped paint scheme, is powered by lead acid batteries. The 4-seat, 3-wheeler has a 40 mph top speed, a 25 mile range and has a starting price of $11,700.

ZENN (Zero Emissions No Noise)

Zenn

The Zenn is a 2 passenger vehicle produced in Canada. With a base price of $15,995, it comes standard with such niceties as a fully independent suspension, rack and pinion steering 4-wheel disc brakes and 13” alloy wheels. Options include an electrically-operated cloth sunroof, air conditioning, a radio with mp3 connector and floor mats. Fully loaded, the Zenn tops out at an even $21K.

GEM (Global Electric Motors)

GEM

Although owned by Chrysler, you’re not going to confuse an e2, e4, or e6 for a Challenger. If anything, it looks like a really fancy golf cart. No stranger to auto shows, the GEM was on display at the NAIAS in Detroit, as well as the Chicago Auto Show. GEM pricing starts at $6,795 for a base e2 (2-seater), with base pricing for the e4 4-seater and e6 6-seater starting at $9,695 and $12,495, respectively.

Vantage VanGo

Vantage VanGo

Although Vantage Vehicle International has been in business for over 11 years, it has only been 4 months since the Corona, California company introduced their line of electric vehicles. The VanGo (with apologies to Vincent) is undoubtedly the most versatile of any of the vehicles at the show. Available in 80 and 98-inch wheelbase versions, power is furnished by no less than 12 lead-acid batteries. This gives the passenger van a range of 55-60 miles on a charge. Maximum speed is 25mph and all models feature front disc/rear drum brakes, rack & pinion steering and a front strut/rear leaf spring suspension.

FYI

In 1848 James Strang and his Mormon followers broke away from those led by Brigham Young (Strang claimed that he was the rightful heir to founder Joseph Smith) and settled on Beaver Island. He had himself crowned King and, shortly thereafter, began taking additional wives. He was assassinated by two of his followers in 1856. Not long after that, his followers were driven off Beaver Island by a mob from neighboring Mackinac Island.