Build electric, have fun
A new initiative launched by the Association for the Promotion of Electric Vehicles (APEV) is aimed at stimulating project-based learning and innovation in the electric vehicle sector, while also providing a day of fun competitions at the motor sport park in Christchurch.
The programme, called EVolocity invites teams to build an electric gokart, electric motor bike or electric car, with key components being available through the EVolocity website for those who want to get a running start.
“In the go-kart category, we’ve made it as easy as possible for teams to get involved by offering not just a kit of componentry, but also a go-kart rolling chassis through the website,” says APEV’s Rob McEwen.
“There’s still plenty of room for innovation and creativity, and the go kart competition is all about getting the creative juices flowing. We want whacky designs, we want outrageous team costumes – it’s all about having fun, while learning at the same time,” he says.
In addition to the go-kart competitions, there will be standing sprint and lap sprint events for electric motor bikes and electric cars. And, for anyone who comes up with an innovation – whether it’s a vehicle, a vehicle component or an innovative design, there will be a Dragon’s Den event, where the innovators can pitch their innovation to a panel of investors and commercialisation experts.
EVolocity culminates in New Zealand’s first electric motor sport event on November 30 at Mike Pero Motorsport Park, Ruapuna, in Christchurch. The event will include an electric car efficiency rally, electric car racing, motor cycle racing, go-kart racing, performance combustion cars versus electric car sprints, competition judging and public test drive opportunities.
“New Zealanders are known for innovative number-eight wire mentality, particularly when it comes to developing ‘green’ alternatives, such as the use of electricity as a renewable, low-emission transport fuel,” says Rob.
“This is a multimillion-dollar innovation opportunity – and what better way to encourage the bright spark of learning and ingenuity than through a motor sport event.”
He says the most cautious projections are for 80 million electric vehicles to be in use worldwide by 2040, up from 400,000 today. If New Zealand had a $1,000 input in just five percent of those vehicles, it would produce $4 billion in earnings – representing a significant opportunity in a global growth sector.
“As well as export opportunities, electric transport means reduced reliance on fossil fuel imports and better use of our existing clean energy infrastructure.
“We have one of the cleanest electricity grids in the world and it is getting cleaner, so not only do we have a great story around zero tailpipe emissions, we also have a great story around emissions at the point of energy generation,” he says.
Entries for each competition are open now. For more information, visit evolocity.co.nz.