Paddon’s EV rally car in Saturday’s Queenstown event

After tasting its debut success in October, Hayden Paddon’s EV rally car is back for the Coronet Peak Hill Climb on November 27.

However, Paddon says as the Hyundai Kona EV is designed as a “gravel car” the Saturday tarmac event run by the Queenstown Car Club is more a shakedown for his rally car.

“We will lower the suspension and stiffen it up a little but we don’t expect the car will be able to challenge for the win,” Paddon adds.

“But it will be good data and knowledge for us and good to see what it does.”

The car’s rally sound is also expected to be tested after first being heard in public at the October Waimate 50 Motorsport Festival.

As for charging the EV rally car, Paddon says Paddon Rallysport will be using a bio-fuel generator on site to do top up charging.