“Would you like to build and race your own electric vehicle in a guided programme. If so, EVolocity is the opportunity for you to join in the fun!”

Evolocity is a programme that operates in 100 NZ secondary schools to provide project learning for students to gain skills and knowledge in mechanical and electrical engineering, programming, electronics and CAD. The electric vehicle theme is a step towards understanding this emission free transport option. The programme has strong links with industry mentors, companies and polytechnic and university tutors. The majority of EVolocity participants move on to study and careers related to the experiences they have enjoyed in EVolocity. Some job seekers have presented their vehicle build as a 3 dimensional CV in order to win positions.

While there is no cost to join our programme, the cost of a build can vary from a low of simply electrifying a standard bike through to buying materials for a fully customised cart. The Standard Class is designed to level the playing field as each team has the same standard kit and is challenged to get the most out of it in a bike or a cart. In the Open Class students are invited to buy their own kit (batteries, controller, electric motor up to 1kW), and use it on their bike or cart. The standard kits are distributed for EVolocity by Electroflash Resourcing Ltd in Christchurch.

While an entry can be built by an individual, most students prefer to share ideas and the experience in a team environment.

Competition

The various competition events for Regional and National finals and design guidelines are outlined in the following documents:

1. Competition Categories https://evolocity.co.nz/resources/competition-events/

2. Design Guidelines – Bikes or Carts https://evolocity.co.nz/resources/technical-design-guidelines/

3. Design Guidelines Carts

How does our programme work?

• You enter the programme (no cost)

• You build a vehicle to suit the competition events

• We support your build with online resources, courses and weekly Zoom meetings

• You plan your build, delegate tasks to team mates and set up a timeline to have the vehicle finished and tested for the Regional Final at the venue closest to where you live (or your school)

• Compete in Regional finals (entry cost $20)

• Compete at the Nationals Finals (Please note that COVID-19 restrictions will prevent this from happening in 2020. We will instead run a national leader board using Regional Finals results)

Role of the school based teacher

Students will need a local teacher to support teams from planning through to completion. Many teams harness community experts and facilities to inform and complete the development of their vehicle. As suited teachers they may also arrange work to be assessed under NCEA. EVolocity support is available to guide this. Schools will need online capability to access EVolocity resources, tutorials and weekly Zoom meetings.

Who?

EVolocity will suit students who enjoy cooperative learning environments. While interest in engineering, electronics, graphics, and programming may help, we are encouraged by the number of students who are new to the joys of designing and building things. Evolocity activities strongly promote the ‘soft skills’ associated with project learning and give real insights into engineering careers and post school study. The programme does embrace students of all abilities and it is satisfying to see a growing number of girls leading the development of some builds. The joyous faces at the start of each race day are a reminder of the enjoyment, enthusiasm and ownership teams take of their unique designs. They are always impatient to get going and test their best efforts against those of their friends. Competitive spirit is evident. Pride and passion, obvious.

It is a tangible thrill to become a futurist building and racing a next generation vehicle!.

The project lead will be Les Black

Framework of Resources

The following resources are available to help teams build their vehicle https://evolocity.co.nz/resources/)

• Planning & Getting Started

• Steering and wheels

• Chassis

• Body work and aerodynamics

• Transmission

• Controller

• CAD tutorial series using Fusion 360 (free to schools)

• Innovation – gathering and displaying data

• Scrutineering

• Trialling and preparing for Race Day

Because we believe the design ideas should be generated by the creativity of each team, our resources do not provide a recipe for a build. Instead we present possibilities around key design features and then support teams to use them in innovative ways. Each year judges have been inspired by the creative designs on display. While some of our resources can be accessed at any time, others such as CAD tutorials, Arduino and Picaxe programming and electronics will be a mixture of online tutorials and Zoom lessons. The CAD and Arduino tutorials and lessons will be provided by University of Auckland staff while Les Black will deliver Picaxe programming sessions that will enable teams to build and optimise a more efficient controller (optional).

In addition to the above, weekly Zoom meetings will be held to help teams implement their ideas or overcome difficulties. This is led by National school programme manager Les Black. Students will receive an invitation when they engage in the programme and provide their email address.

In our established regions of Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Manawatu, Wellington, Nelson and Canterbury our Regional Coordinators schedule 3 support events (Build Days) in tertiary institutions to provide workshops ranging from welding tuition through to learning in key areas associated with a build and vehicle scrutineering.

Health and Safety documentation is available for all Evolocity events.

Materials

Builds may be done at home with limited tools and facilities. While most vehicles are made from recycled bikes and therefore very low budgets, other teams do raise money to invest in more ambitious designs. Teams are therefore encouraged to design and build a vehicle they can afford. Evolocity staff are available to discuss options, sources of materials and access to mentors.

Assessment

There are opportunities for schools to assess parts of the project through;

• Achievement Standards: in Technology, Digital technologies, Sustainability and Physics

• Unit Standards: from a variety of domains.

Schools are left to choose the assessments they wish to implement. EVolocity can offer guidance as to opportunities available and also connection with teachers using a similar approach.

Costs

• Standard Kit = $400 + GST (for motor, controller, light with battery indicator, throttle, chain,

sprockets, brake levers, and 2 x 12V high density electric batteries)

Note: we currently have some sponsorship available. Please ask.

• Controller kit = $30 +GST This optional kit needs to be soldered together but provides a more efficient controller which needs to be optimised in the Picaxe programming course

• Regional Finals = $20

• National final = No cost                                                                                                                                                                     Website: https://evolocity.co.nz/                                               Video: “EVolociy: What it's all about” https://evolocity.co.nz/video-gallery/                                                                                   Inquiries to: Les.Black@xtra.co.nz