What do a 2009 Tesla Roadster, a homemade “self-balancing scooter” and a 1990 Honda CRX have in common? It’s simple: all are electrically powered and were featured at the 37th annual Electric Car Rally & Show on Aug. 29 presented by the Electric Auto Association – Silicon Valley Chapter (EAASV).

In its fifth year at Palo Alto High School, the Electric Car Rally & Show aimed to showcase electric vehicles and dispel common misconceptions regarding them. “This is a public information event educating the public about why electric cars are so great,” President of EAASV Jerry Pohorsky said. “It’s to let the public know electric cars exist and [that they] are real cars.”

In addition to showcasing these vehicles, the event offered free rides in rare electric cars such as the Tesla Roadster and the TZero.

Steve Casner, the owner of the Tesla, has been driving electric cars since 1998. To him, electric cars are about more than just environmental friendliness. “I grew up wanting a Porsche, but once I could actually afford a Porsche, I decided that I wanted a Tesla instead,” Casner said. “Teslas combine a Porsche sports car ability with electric car efficiency.”

According to Casner, Teslas are also more natural to drive. “It doesn’t lurch, but it still has plenty of power and the brakes definitely last longer,” he said. “I’m extremely content with it.” Casner charges his car nightly and it can reliably go up to 200 miles on one charge.

Besides electric cars, there were many other modes of transportation that ornamented the electric vehicle scene. Engineering aficionados such as Mike Phillips showed off their own homemade devices. Phillips constructed a vehicle which he described as a “self-balancing scooter.”

The scooter goes three hours per charge. While it cannot be driven on the road, Phillips enjoys cruising around in it and taking other people for rides. “I made it mainly because I already had the electric hardware in my combat robot,” he said. “I [also] wanted to make it for the technological challenge.”

Gasoline-powered cars turned into electric ones were one of the highlights at the event. Engineer Hanif Gangji, who believes that one of the most crucial parts of promoting electric cars is to appeal to the youth market, showcased his self-converted electric car. Along with a friend, Gangji converted a 1990 red Honda CRX into a fully chargeable electrically powered car. “[I chose to go with] the Honda because it looks beautiful,” Gangji said. “Electric cars should be sexy and that’s how it can appeal to a younger generation. They’re the perfect example of modern cars.”

Even though it took two years to build, Gangji said that it was worth it. “It’s good fun,” he said. He says that he hopes to continue to experiment with cars.

Solar vehicles, which were also showcased at the event. “I always tinkered with [the solar energy] field,” solar vehicle owner Jerrold Karmin said. His solar vehicle, registered as a motorcycle, can be powered by 48, 72 or 144 volts.

Of the hundreds of attendees, there were plenty of positive reviews. “[The Electric Car Rally and Show] was informative and fun,” Los Altos High School sophomore Chuck Kuo said. Kuo was a student volunteer at the event along with two other Los Altos High students.

Charlie Cobb, an avid attendee of electric vehicle events, agreed. “People gain awareness at these events,” he said. “Most people don’t know how normal electric vehicles look.”

According to Cobb and many others, environmental awareness is becoming more and more of a priority in people’s eyes which makes alternatively powered vehicles a field of endless possibilities. “This is the future,” Sybil Cramer, parent liason for Los Altos High School Green Team, said. “Many of these [electric] cars can go long range without charge.”

Beckett agreed: “If a guy in a garage can [make an electric vehicle], imagine what [kinds] manufacturers can make.”