Marcelo da Luz pulls solar car 475 km by hand, issuing a 28-day challenge for everyone to: "Pull for the environment" - to speak in Ottawa, Monday, May 28th, 2012

OTTAWA, May 24, 2012 /CNW/ - The Electric Vehicle Council of Ottawa - EVCO - is hosting Marcelo da Luz at their monthly meeting on the evening of Monday, May 28th.  Open to the public and held at the Canada Science and Technology Museum at 1700 St. Laurent Blvd, the presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Marcelo da Luz has designed and built his own solar-powered, emissions-free,  electric car.  This car has been driven in many parts of the world, including on the ice road from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk in the Canadian Arctic. 

Marcelo da Luz is on the final leg of a 475km  inspirational walk from Toronto to Ottawa pulling a solar car by hand on a 28 day journey.   In this initiative called, "Pull for the Environment", he issues a challenge asking Canadians to make a positive change to protect the environment.  You can follow Marcelo's progress on his website at www.xof1.com .  Marcelo is expected to arrive in Ottawa on Monday, May 28th, 2012 at the Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario Canada at 12:00 p.m.

Da Luz and his solar car have broken world records.  The sun powered vehicle was driven to the Arctic, around Alaska (where someone called 911 about a UFO on the road), through North America and back to the Arctic.  Furthermore, it returned to the arctic a 3rd time to cross the longest ice road in the world over the frozen mighty Mackenzie River and Arctic Ocean.

Weighing 250kg, the solar car can accelerate from zero to 85kmh in 6 seconds with a top speed of 120kmh.  The vehicle can drive 200km at night on a full battery or 500km on a bright sunny day.  It is the first electric automobile to reach the Arctic Circle, not once - but twice.  It more than doubled the previous world distance record, clocking in at 36,220.5 km (22,436.3 miles) and counting.

To hear Marcelo's inspirational presentation and see his solar car, please come to the EVCO meeting on the evening of Monday, May 28th at the Canada Science and Technology Museum at 7:30 p.m.  Free admission and free parking.  Access via OC Transpo route Greenboro - Hurdman, line 114. 

Darryl McMahon, EVCO President, at [email protected] or at [phone]