PADDON UNLEASHES ELECTRIC RALLY CAR

Hayden Paddon unleashes electric rally car – Photo: Supplied

New Zealand rally driver Hayden Paddon has revealed his electric powered Hyundai rally car, the Kova EV which he says can complete entire rally events with just the use of the electric motor.

By DAN McCARTHY

The Hyundai was launched in Auckland after the Paddon Rallysport (PRG) crew spent just 18 months building the unique and powerful electric powered machine.

The rally car produces an impressive 800kw, weighing 1400kg and is one of the first all-electric rally cars. The machine will now be tested for eight months before competing in its first full-length rally in the second half of 2021.

“I’m incredibly proud of our team who have put their heart and soul into this car,” Paddon said.

“There is a little bit of all of us in it and it wouldn’t be possible without the amazing team we have.

“So, a massive thank you from the bottom of my heart for them to believe in me and trust me to make our vision a reality.”

Along the way PRG has received technical assistance and guidance from Stohl Advanced Research and Development (STARD), which created electric vehicles for the all-electric Projekt E Rallycross series.

However, it is estimated that over 80% of the Kona EV was designed by PRG itself including the engineering, chassis design, aerodynamics, suspension and electrics.

Paddon is confident that after several months of testing the Kona EV will be as fast as any petrol-powered rally car.

“The car is faster on paper than an ICE (internal combustion engine) car, has better weight distribution, and is more reliable as there are fewer moving parts,” Paddon said.

“The potential with the technology, electronics, and design of the car is endless, it’s simply a new era of rallying that has new limits.

“The EV package is capable of over 800kw, but we have focused on building this car to have comparable power to a current ICE rally car and aim for it to be winning rallies against normal ICE competition from 2022.

“A lot of work needs to happen between now and then and we are confident that EV technology is going to work in a normal rally environment.”

The 2016 Argentinian WRC round winner revealed he is now in discussions with various motorsport bodies to include EV technology into the sporting regulations of its traditional rally championships and events.

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