Sand Carving Exhibit with Environmental Theme

Sand Carving Exhibit with Environmental Theme



Aug. 2007  - 
Representatives from the City of Vancouver, the Vancouver Parks Board, and 
World Champion sand sculptor Peter Vogelaar gathered today at Kitsilano 
Beach in Vancouver to open a sand carving exhibit with an environmental 
theme. The event was a bright note in a city currently paralyzed by 
striking public sector employees. 
The exhibit on one of Vancouver's most popular beaches was created to 
showcase the Chevrolet Volt with a full-scale sand replica of the plug-in 
hybrid concept vehicle.
 
The plug-in Chevrolet Volt is designed to eliminate trips to the gas 
station and produce zero emissions for the driver who travels 64 
kilometers (40 miles) a day or less. 
"Come play in Vancouver's largest sand box. It's so big you can actually 
fit a car in it!" said Vogelaar, the architect of Chevy Beach. "What 
better way to commemorate such an important vehicle and environmental 
sustainability than by creating a tribute out of sand." 
Chevy Beach measures more than 800 square feet, or the equivalent of a 
Vancouver one-bedroom apartment, and is built with over 50 metric tons of 
sand. 
A team of five professional sand sculptors, including two former World 
Champions, worked for more than 160 hours to create the sculptures, 
including the Chevrolet Volt replica, trees, rocks, and a sand castle. 
"The Chevrolet Volt is one of the most environmentally conscious vehicles 
ever designed," said Jason Stainton, marketing manager for General Motors 
Canada. 
Powered by lithium-ion batteries charged by plugging into a common 
110-volt household plug, the Volt uses a gas engine to create additional 
electricity to extend its range. 
When drivers need to travel farther than 64 kilometers, a power source 
that creates electricity from gasoline, ethanol, hydrogen or biodiesel 
fuels kicks in to recharge the lithium ion battery pack for a driving 
range of up to 1,000 kilometers. The onboard generator functions while the 
car is in motion or while parked. 
GM announced a fuel cell variant of the Volt concept at the 2007 Shanghai 
Motor Show in April. 
Both are concept cars that are currently not available for sale. 
"GM offers more green choices for consumers and has taken an active role 
in developing environmental technologies ranging from active fuel 
management and hybrid systems to E85 biofuel and fuel cell vehicles, 
Stainton said. 

"By showcasing this important vehicle to Vancouverites we are 
demonstrating GM's commitment to caring for our environment," he said.
The Concept Chevy Volt received lots of attention when it was introduced 
at the North American International Auto Show in January. At the end of 
June, the car was awarded the 2007 North American Specialty Concept 
Vehicle of the Year and the Most Significant Concept Vehicle of the Year 
at an awards ceremony at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, 
Michigan. 
Accepting the award, Chevrolet Volt lead designer Bob Boniface said, "The 
Volt is an important vehicle for GM and for the world. Whether your 
concern is energy security, CO2 emissions or reducing our dependence on 
oil, it all leads to energy diversity. GM wants to be a part of the 
solution, that's why we designed the Chevrolet Volt concept." 
See it sculpted in sand at the Chevy Beach exhibit, open daily at 
Kitsilano Beach through Monday, August 6. 

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