EV day at Hampton Downs

A Sunday afternoon drive with a difference for electric vehicle owners is planned at the Hampton Downs Motorsport Park on October 7.

More than 100 EVs are expected at the inaugural EV Community Day there from noon to 4.30pm, which offers the chance to drive around the 2.8km race track.

Three time slots are offered, with one just for Tesla models. EV owners keen to tackle the track are asked to provide a donation or koha to help organising group the Electric Vehicle Association of Aotearoa (EVAA) with funding.

A race between a McLaren and a Tesla is planned, while companies like GVI Electric, Hyundai, BMW and others involved in EVs will also have a presence.

More events and prize-giving are included, while EV owners have the chance to gain advice and talk about their cars.

Hampton Downs has donated the venue and support staff, the EVAA’s Justin Boyd says.

He says EVs will be able to charge on site, using the WEL Networks fast charger there or another a few minutes away at Te Kauwhata, plus a variety of plug-in chargers.

Boyd’s hoping to see a record set for the number of EVs in one place (Christchurch had about 100) and says Hampton Downs is easily reached from Auckland, most parts of the Waikato and even Taupo and the Bay of Plenty.

Another EV gathering is planned on September 29 at the KartSport Hamilton track near Hamilton International Airport, 9am-3pm.

The EVolocity Electric Wheels Festival sees the Waikato regional finals of a contest for secondary school students to build and race two to four-wheeled small EVs. Displays and EV rides are also planned.

Wellington and Auckland regional finals are on September 30, and Christchurch on October 28.

The EVolocity national finals are at EVworld South in Christchurch on November 24.