Teaching and raising awareness in an accessible, playful and fun way is the aim of eBoat, one of the most sustainable initiatives, which once again demonstrated its full potential in Palma on Saturday. From early morning until the afternoon, this third edition set up its stalls in the Parc de la Mar to bring technological innovation, sustainable mobility and renewable energy closer to young and old alike. The event, now well-established, forms part of the seventh edition of eMallorca Experience, which entertained everyone who visited the various marquees, stalls and exhibitions set up for the occasion with a range of activities.
Educational activities and workshops were organised to reinforce social commitment to environmental conservation. The programme was aimed at the whole family and captured the interest of visitors throughout the day, showcasing a near future set against a healthier and more sustainable environmental backdrop.
The day kicked off with the ‘Sea and Energy’ children’s theatre workshops, where the youngest members of the family were able to put all their energy and imagination into practice by taking part in an environmental-themed performance. The Saica recycling workshop offered games, crafts and a relay race combining speed and recycling. The day’s programme also featured an area for motor enthusiasts and fans of electric mobility, with BYD Quadis Dream, which offered the chance to see, touch and climb into a state-of-the-art electric car.
Once again, the EMT was present, taking part with an electric bus driven by Carolina Bernabé, who acted as a guide for everyone who dared to step inside and see the vehicle from the inside. The EMT also set up two marquees providing general information and activities for the little ones. Visitors were also able to get a close look at the display of functional and sustainable electric vehicles and take part in an educational workshop on last-mile electric vehicles thanks to Scoobic Baleares. Furthermore, they actively participated in EcoPower Bikes, where pedalling on stationary bikes demonstrated how to generate sustainable energy.
Next to the lake in Parc de la Mar, an exhibition of radio-controlled vehicles was set up, where the more daring could show off their driving skills with speedy remote-controlled cars, an activity that generated a lot of excitement and participation. The Melib stand was also present, featuring a management system for electric vehicle charging with a map of charging points.
Furthermore, eBoat focuses not only on land but also on the sea, having featured the Blue Circle electric catamaran, captained by Nico, in every edition. The event was attended by the Mayor of Palma, Jaime Martínez; the Councillor for Mobility at the City Council, Antonio Deudero; and the Director General of Mobility at Palma City Council, Antonio Román.
Martínez gave a positive assessment of eBoat, highlighting the importance of “Palma hosting these events and ensuring they continue to take place every year”. He added that the Balearic capital is the seventh city in Spain in terms of sustainable mobility and that “it has already embarked on a process of no return, such as the decision to completely renew the entire urban public transport fleet, and proof of this is the arrival of some 30 fully electric buses, which will also improve transport services, frequencies and routes”. Deudero highlighted Cort’s participation in eBoat, “raising awareness of the work being done to promote alternative public transport systems”.
The municipal representatives took part in some of the activities, such as the exercise bike and the remote-controlled cars. They admitted that cycling was what they were best at and took the opportunity to recommend it and praise the “excellent cycle network in Palma”, which is expanding to reach more parts of the city.
The authorities and the public enjoyed a lively and participatory event, made possible thanks to the collaboration of BYD Quadis Dream, the Regional Ministry of Enterprise, Employment and Energy of the Government of the Balearic Islands, the Mobility Department of Palma City Council, the EMT, the SMAP, Blue Circle Catamaran, HipoDrift and Scoobic Baleares.