Kyoto Plant had the "Hands-on Lessons Program" related to the automobile industry and the environment for fifth grade students on January 18, 2021 at Kansyu Elementary School and on February 4, 2021 at Mukojima Elementary School in Kyoto City.
This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic situations, thorough measures were taken in the program to prevent infections, such as ensuring constant ventilation of the lecture rooms and vehicles to be used for the program, and asking all participants to disinfect their hands and fingers with alcohol and wear a face mask.
On the day of the program, a quiz style lecture was held on the theme of the "relationship between the environment and automobiles" to learn about the automobile industry, electric vehicles, and our environmental measures. A quiz event was held to learn about recycling using recycled car parts. Also in the schoolyards, a test riding event was also held for the students to compare the ride difference between an electric vehicle and a gasoline-powered vehicle.
The students who experienced the EV test riding enjoyed it, saying "The car was so quiet!" and "I want to ride again!".
■ Feedback from the employee lecturers
- In my lecture, I focused on the fact that "EVs are environmentally friendly and resistant to natural disasters". The students actively participated in our quiz event and Q&A sessions. This was a very good stimulus for me as well. Through opportunities like this, I would like to continue to build awareness of the capability of EVs to supply electricity in times of disaster, because such capability is still not widely recognized.
- In the test riding event, the participants experienced the quietness and smooth acceleration of the EV. It was impressive that not only the students but also the teachers were excited about the EV's riding comfort.