GWM Australia brought new life to a disused fuel station in Collingwood on 2 August 2026, transforming the forgotten forecourt into the 'ORA Fun Station' – a Euro summer-inspired pop-up experience that reimagined what a service station can be in the electric vehicle era.
Inspired by the Amalfi Coast, the once-traditional forecourt was transformed into a vibrant courtyard complete with striped umbrellas, terracotta tones, barista-made coffee and the soundtrack of a European summer. GWM wall chargers sat alongside the existing fuel bowsers, visually reflecting Australia's evolving transport landscape and the shift from petrol pumps to electric charging.
But the transformation went beyond appearances. Turning the traditional service station concept on its head, three GWM ORA 5 SUVs became the activation's sole power source. Using Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology, the vehicles generated enough electricity to power the entire experience, from the espresso machine and food truck to the DJ booth, speakers and lighting, replacing the role traditionally played by petrol and generators.
The activation was the physical expression of GWM's latest brand campaign, 'Live a Little MORA'. Playing on the ORA name, the campaign celebrates the idea that with an electric GWM in the driveway, there's always more life on offer. By transforming a cold Melbourne winter's day into a warm Euro summer oasis powered entirely by the ORA 5 SUV, the ORA Fun Station demonstrated how an EV can do far more than simply provide a mode of transport, giving locals the opportunity to socialise, enjoy a complimentary barista-made coffee and experience Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology in action.
"This was about showing people what an EV can actually do beyond simply getting you from A to B," said Steve Maciver, Head of Marketing & Communications, GWM Australia.
"Vehicle-to-Load technology is one of the most overlooked features of an electric vehicle. Many people simply don't realise their car can power appliances, tools, camping equipment or, in this case, an entire event. By taking a disused petrol station, one of the most recognisable symbols of the petrol era, and transforming it into the ORA Fun Station, we demonstrated how EV technology can power experiences, not just journeys. That's the shift in thinking we wanted people to experience."
GWM's ORA 5 'Fun Station' pop-up took place:
WHEN: Sunday, 2 August 2026, 11:00am – 3:00pm
WHERE: Little Sam's Service Station | 302–310 Wellington St, Collingwood VIC 3066
COST: Free public entry, including complimentary food, coffee, and entertainment
WHAT GUESTS ENJOYED:
Fuel up on fun: Guests enjoyed free Italian-style street food, fresh focaccia paninis, and premium espressos, served up courtesy of the retro Via Gianlu food van.
Euro Summer Soundtracks: A live DJ spun a curated set of upbeat Euro-house, funk, and disco classics.
Keepsakes & Culture: Attendees got a custom car-icature drawn by a live caricaturist, challenged mates to a game of petanque, and snapped classic Polaroids next to the ORA to take home.
The pop-up was part of GWM's broader push to reposition its EV offering around real, everyday use cases rather than spec-sheet claims. By transforming a disused fuel station into a fully functioning event powered entirely by the ORA 5 SUV, the activation let the vehicle's battery and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability do the talking in a setting where people would least expect it.
Image for illustration purposes only.