Re: Nelson classic car show attracts record number of vehicles, Sept. 25
“They don’t make ‘em like they used to” was the front-page headline of the Sept. 25 Nelson Star. Indeed, “they” don’t and they shouldn’t. My son and I walked vibrant Baker Street on Road Kings Saturday, with over 460 vehicles paying tribute to the past and present of motorized passenger transportation.
Shiny, polished, powerful, big, small (not many), colourful, rusty (some), convertible, American-built, flame-emblazoned, elegant, or bold, they proudly parked along the road, crowds filling the street. I missed the parade on the Friday night, but I can safely assume that these icons of car culture were all loud and polluting as they motorcaded through downtown.
Homage to the past, yes, but missing the future entirely. Not a single electric vehicle was on display. Not one. The future of cars and trucks is electric or hydrogen-based, no way around it. In the not-so-distant future there will be no place for fossil-fuel vehicles on our roads.
Let’s start showing the future of transportation. It is cool, fancy, quiet and it doesn’t stink. For 2023, I encourage the Road Kings organizers to envision a section for electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles. Great education about EV range anxiety, charging stations and times, EV road trip planning, costs, etc., will ensue.
Related, on Sept. 23 Fridays for Future held world-wide rallies for young people to demand immediate, substantive and meaningful climate action. I remember the vibrant 2019 downtown Nelson event, but I have not seen anyone out on the 23rd. Youth, please don’t give up. We need to continue the good fight.
Julius Halaschek-Wiener
Blewett