Evolocity Electric Wheels Festival Coming to Hamilton

Don't miss Hamilton's first-ever electrically charged Festival – celebrating the acceleration into our lives of E-vehicles!

Held in partnership with the Waikato Engineering Careers Association and Waikato EV Owners, the EVolocity Electric Wheels Festival, is coming to Kartsport Track, opposite the airport, Saturday, September 29.

The festival includes the Waikato regional finals of EVolocity, the electric vehicle secondary schools competition. Executive Director Rob McEwen says EVolocity Waikato has thirty-nine teams competing from 21 Waikato schools this year, more than any other region in New Zealand. "But, it's not just the number of schools and teams, it's the Waikato attitude and determination which sets them apart from the rest."

E-vehicle drivers and enthusiasts group, #LeadingTheCharge, will be on hand throughout the day offering rides in a range of different model electric vehicles.

Robert Nicholls from the Waikato EV Owners group believes the Electric Wheels Festival is an excellent opportunity to get a feel for the latest in electric vehicles. "Visitors will experience riding in a variety of EVs such as Tesla, BMW i3, Hyundai Ioniq, Nissan Leaf – all in one place."

MeloYelo electric bikes will also be on show throughout the day with information as well as offering e-bike test rides. MeloYelo is a social enterprise donating a percentage of its proceeds to the nationwide EVolocity programme in schools.

So what do EVolocity teams do?

Each year, EVolocity equips the teams with an electric motor kit, batteries, a range of competition categories and some technical regulations. Assisted by the University of Waikato and Wintec tutors, teams take part in three half-day tutorial sessions with the ultimate goal of building an E-vehicle to compete in either the 2-wheel or 3+wheel category. Events include drag racing, street circuit, gymkhana, and innovation.

Mike Duke, who holds the Gallagher Chair in Engineering at the University of Waikato acknowledges the EVolocity Youth programme is, in his opinion, the best scheme in New Zealand to promote engineering in Secondary Schools. "Students are becoming more actively involved in exciting projects."

Gates open at 9 am, and entry is free.

For more information contact Rob McEwen: rob.mcewen@evolocity.co.nz or 021 728 875

[Robert McNicholls - #LeadingTheCharge - 5 September 2018]