The Florida Electric Auto Association (FLEAA) hosted the 4th Annual “Battery Beach Burnout”, an alternative fuel / electric vehicle competition, in Jupiter, FL at Florida Atlantic University February 21st and 22nd, 2008. The event consisted of multiple competitions involving electric vehicles (EV), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and plug-in hybrids (PHEV), including an auto-cross, scooter-cross, vehicle performance tests, Electrathon and a Show & Shine event. The Autocross also added the element of including a few gas powered vehicles driven by professional drivers to “set the pace” of where current performance vehicles perform and allow for competitors to compare their electric or hybrid car to these gas cars.

As the premier annual electric vehicle event in the Southeast, the purpose of Battery Beach Burnout was to raise public and media awareness of the current state of electric and hybrid vehicles and to educate people about ‘green’ alternative fuel vehicles. The event showcased and promoted alternative energy technologies to power vehicles of the future to solve our transportation, energy and air quality problems.

The FLEAA had approximately 80 vehicles participating and on display throughout the weekend. Vehicles ranged from a beautiful 1920 Milburn Electric to the stylish new Tesla Roadster, from modern show-room hybrids to A123/Hymotion converted Prius’ to FPL’s Plug-in Hybrid Aerial Bucket trucks, and electric scooters to Electrathons. Braille Battery also showed up with the Nation’s first Hybrid race car. This car, straight off the show floor from the Nissan SEMA Show booth, Yokohama LA Auto Show Booth and winner of the HIN Miami show proved that a hybrid can have it all, good looks and winning performance! In fact, this Hybrid won the Battery Beach’s best honors at the “Show and Shine” and was hands down the fastest car on the race course.

Driven by a seasoned professional driver, Blake Fuller, this Altima flew through the Battery Beach autocross course winning the Hybrid Class by almost 2 seconds (a time 8% faster than the 2nd place car). This performance also shows the prowess of the new Yokohama AD-08 tires that offer low rolling resistance and incredible grip. The fact that they are constructed using oil derived from Oranges and use lower levels of petroleum is a very real indication of how industry leaders are using technology wisely.

Autocross Hybrid:

1) Blake Fuller/Braille Battery – Hybrid Altima – 28.98 secs
2) Cliff Rassweiler/Palm Beach Toyota – Hybrid Camry – 31.41
3) Shawn Waggoner/Palm Beach Toyota – Prius – 32.64

High School Class
1) Miramar High School – Porsche 944 – 2.17 secs
2) Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School – Datsun – 2.24

Open Class Results
1) Steven Ganeles – Tesla – 2.20 secs
2) Bob Salem – VW Truck – 2.20
3) Dave Delman – Electric Delorean - 2.49