Catalysing innovations by, with & for kids
EVolocity is a nationwide STEM program for New Zealand students that facilitates the design, build and competition of two-to-four-wheeled electric vehicles. Through mentorship and a hands-on learning philosophy, EVolocity is on a mission to break down barriers and inspire young Kiwis into sustainable engineering while fast forwarding New Zealand’s cleantech future. The Vivinauts from Vivistop Welly participated twice in EVolocity, building and racing vehicles in 2022 and 2023.
At the start of the school year, participating teams are given electric motor kits, some guidelines to follow, a bunch of inspiration, and free creative rein. Alongside their teachers and mentors, participants plan, engineer and manufacture electric karts or bikes – all with sustainability (and race day) in mind. At the end of the year the participants and their vehicles take part in drag races, slalom, endurance and efficiency competitions.
The Vivicart - 2022
Over the course of 8 months, a team of 8-12 Vivinauts set out to build the Vivicart, a 4-wheel electric go-kart.
Primarily self-managed, with support from mentors and Vivita crew, the team built a stunning looking cart from scrap materials salvaged from the local dump. And to give the cart its final look and feel, the team recycled old sheets from a hotel to create an outer shell reminiscent of an old fighter plane. But most importantly, the cart worked!
Despite being one the youngest teams, during the regional competition the Vivicart took out various prizes.
The Vivibike - 2023
The following year, the Vivinauts rallied to create a new vehicle. Inspired by local Wellington-based electric motorbike startup FTN Motion, the team decided to create a 2-wheeled bike that would make people say WOW. After a visit to FTN Motion and some design sessions with one of the founders, the team got stuck into building the bike.
Again, the Vivinauts claimed some well-earned prizes for their vehicle:
