Electric Wheels Festival a buzz

About 1000 people attended the Evolocity Electric Wheels Festival in Christchurch on December 2.

The event’s growing popularity was shown in a 25% increase in EV test drives, with 202 people taking the opportunity to try an EV at the Canterbury A & P Showgrounds.

Free workshops sponsored by Orion covered a range of topics such as “the future of getting around Christchurch” via bicycle (including e-bikes) and car sharing (Yoogo).

Flip the Fleet’s Daniel Myall explained why EVs are good for people, their pocket and the planet.

Other speakers included Liz Yeaman from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, Chargemaster’s Nigel Broomhall, Orion’s Steven Godfrey and Richard Moylan, and Walter Larason from EVs Enhanced on battery swaps and upgrades.

Delighted with the turnout, Evolocity executive director Rob McEwen says the event gets bigger each year. “That shows the growing interest in EVs.”

Secondary school teams from throughout the country participated in the finals of a competition where students design, build then race their own EVs.

McEwen says seven teams came from Auckland, six from the Waikato, four from Wellington, four from Nelson and more from Christchurch.

Henderson High School in West Auckland won the open drag race and the EVy award for video and social media communications. Otaki College won the carts drag race and longest distance coasted in bikes, while Waimea College won two bike race events and the carts street circuit.

Other place getters in various categories included Tauhara College (three bike events), Ngaruawahia, Avonside Girls High School, Burnside High School, St Thomas of Canterbury College, Riccarton High School, Mana College, Howick College, Taupo Nui A Tia College and Long Bay.