Community round-up: the first meetups of the year

The first meetup of the year is always the one we worry about. It is February, it is grey, and asking people to stand in a car park before the clocks change is a lot to ask. Then forty-odd cars turn up, somebody brings a flask, and it turns out we worried about nothing.

What makes these mornings work is that nobody is selling anything. There is no stand, no demonstration and no talk. People park up, wander around, and end up in the conversation they actually came for — usually with someone who owns the car they are thinking about buying next, which is worth more than any review, including ours.

The mix this year has been the best we have seen. Long-standing owners on their third or fourth electric car, a good number of people six weeks into their first, and a pleasing number who do not own one at all and came to have a look. That last group is the one we are most glad to see, and if that is you, please do come — nobody will try to convert you and somebody will definitely offer you a passenger seat.

Two things members asked for after the last one, both of which we are doing. More time before anybody organises anything, because the standing-around is the point. And a short, clearly-signposted stretch of the morning where new owners can ask the very basic questions without an audience, which turned out to be the most popular twenty minutes of the day.

Practical notes for the next few. Meetups are free and open to everyone, whatever you drive. Children are welcome and there is usually something for them to look at. There is no need to book, though it helps us to know roughly how many to expect. And if it rains we still go — this is the Low Countries, and we would never leave the house otherwise.

Dates for what is coming up are on the events page, and they go out to members by email as they are confirmed. Bring the car if you have one, bring a friend if you do not, and bring a coat either way.