EV Falcon versus XR8

The engineer behind an electric 2004 Ford Falcon ute is confident nights spent in his workshop converting his car into an electric vehicle (EV) will pay off. Simon Wilkinson, an aircraft engineer from Rangiora, has been working on the project for three years in his spare time. He’s determined to get his EV on the road to compete in EVolocity – New Zealand’s biggest electric motorsport event being held in Christchurch next month The converted Falcon will come up against a combustion Falcon XR8 at Ruapuna Motorsport Park on November 30. Wilkinson says if the transmission and driveshaft hold together, he expects it to knock out the competition. He started researching and sourcing EV parts 10 years ago and it was his engineering background that led him to the project. It could also be a project that saves money in the long run. “It’s a desire to build something others can’t or won’t – I’m an engineer, it’s what we do,” says Wilkinson. “It also makes financial sense because I do a reasonable amount of kilometres each year.” His Toyota Vitz costs almost $3,500 in fuel every year – a cost that could soon be stamped out. With 60x160Ah Winston battery cells powering the Falcon, it has a capacity of 31kw/hrs. In case runs out, there’s a fully configurable 3.3kw Brusa battery charger on board. An initiative of Drive Electric, formerly the Association for the Promotion of Electric Vehicles, EVolocity aims to promote EV use while encouraging Kiwis to innovate, invent and become involved in the future of transport. Wilkinson’s conversion is one of many taking place around the country, including two Porsche Boxsters, a Mazda MX5, Toyota Ceres, Honda City and a Honda Torneo in Christchurch, and an MX5 in Auckland.