Electric vehicle competition sparks interest
Engineers and teachers are praising an initiative they say is sparking renewed interest in science, maths and
engineering in Waikato secondary schools.
EVolocity Waikato is a region-wide competition where students design, build and race their own electric vehicles with
assistance from teachers, tertiary tutors and mentors from engineering businesses.
More than 100 students from 14 schools are taking part in the regional competition, designing and building their own
electric cart or bike equipped with an electric motor kit.
This month they will go head-to-head, racing their vehicles in a drag race and on a street circuit to see which schools’
electric vehicles will go on to compete in the national finals in Christchurch on December 3. The regional final, on
Saturday September 16, Kartsport Hamilton from 9am, will also feature a mini-expo from the Waikato Engineering Careers
Association (WECA).
As well as speed, vehicles will be judged on economy, rolling resistance and motor control. Other prizes will be awarded
for innovation and sustainability, with extra points for body design, bling, creatively dressed teams and community
awareness.
WECA manager Mary Jensen said EVolocity has been an excellent way to spark interest in important secondary school
subjects and mechanical and electrical engineering.
“EVolocity puts students in a workshop setting and sees them practising the subjects they are learning in the classroom
in a hands-on way. For most students this will also be their first taste of engineering and hopefully will inspire the
best students to pursue careers in this lucrative sector,” Mary said.
WECA is co-ordinating EVolocity in the region and its engineering company members, along with Wintec and the University
of Waikato, are supporting the initiative.
“We’re facing a shortage of skilled engineers as a region and as a nation so our members and tertiary providers are very
motivated to equip and inspire the next generation of engineers. We see EVolocity as complementary to the school
curriculum as it gives students that extra taste of what engineering looks like in real world.”
St Johns’ College head of technology Steve Andrew said 10 Year 13 students taking part in EVolocity at his school has
embraced the challenge, renewing their vigour for technology, maths and science subjects.
“They’re using core subjects like science and physics in the workshop and they’re so engrossed. It’s also probably the
first time they have been exposed to mechanical and electrical engineering, so that’s a big part of it too,” Steve said.
Team work among students and teachers had been another positive spinoff.
“Our technology teachers are working together and students are working together to solve problems for a common purpose.
The competition element of it has really motivated them. The response from everyone has been great,” Steve said.
EVolocity was founded in Christchurch in 2014 and Executive Director Rob McEwen says Waikato, with hundreds of
engineering businesses, was a good fit for their mission to establish EVolocity throughout New Zealand.
Vehicles will be scrutineered before the regional final, to be held at Kartsport Hamilton, Airport Rd, Saturday
September 16, from 9am. Members of the public are welcome.
ENDS