Hayden Paddon to build 600kW electric rally racer

Kiwi rally ace Hayden Paddon has launched a new plan to build Hyundai-based electric rally cars in Cromwell.

He has established Alternative Energy Motorsport Development (AEMD), a division of his Paddon Rallysport Group, to build the new type of racer.

The car will be based on the Hyundai Kona EV, but will be all-wheel drive and be able to run the peak power level for short events like hill climbs.

He has been working with engineering students from the University of Canterbury on the aerodynamic package.

Paddon says the EV racer will make noise – figuratively and literally.

“One aspect of this project of particular importance to me is that this car is going to make noise, and a lot of it. It won’t be the same sound that we currently identify with an EV car, and it is something that we are working on that will be quite unique.”

“For many reasons motorsport needs to have an element of sound.”

Paddon says EVs have not been seen often in rallying due to the length of the events. He notes New Zealand is an ideal test bed due to the compact nature of events here.

He is working with Motorsport New Zealand on guidelines for safety to allow electric-powered vehicles to compete in Motorsport.

The project began late last year and it is hoped to have the car racing in quarter one, 2020.

“So it is going to be a very busy eight months ahead o bus, but we are committed to meeting those deadlines,” Paddon notes.

The first year will include sorting technical and reliability issues, with the full New Zealand Rally Championship targeted in 2021.

The project is being backed by Hyundai and Yes Power.

“As the number one new EV brand in New Zealand we are committed to being at the forefront of innovation and championing the EV industry here, so this project aligns with us leading the way,” Hyundai New Zealand says of the project in a statement.