Silence reigns at electric vehicle expos

GLENDALE — In a stadium parking lot full of vehicles, one thing was noticeably absent — the noisy thrum of engines.

The sprawling lot had transformed into an all-in-one vehicle demo track, dealership and car show. Visitors drove through the lanes instead of sitting in post-game traffic. 

Families zipped around on scooters, bikes and skateboards, professional drivers took thrill-seekers around the lot and auto enthusiasts checked out a small fleet of flashy, custom-built cars.

Apart from the screech of tires, the vehicles made little noise. No exhaust fumes lingered in the air, and exhibitionists did not have to worry about running out of gas in the middle of the event. 

Every vehicle was electric.

Electrify Expo took over State Farm Stadium last weekend, showcasing battery-operated vehicles in nearly every category all in one visit. 

“The curiosity level for electric cars, trucks and everything else electric is skyrocketing,” said BJ Birtwell, founder and CEO of Electrify Expo. “The consumers get to basically try everything out there.”