Click photo to enlarge
Jens Rekker shows a crowd at Logan Park High School's car
park yesterday the 18 "golf cart" deep-cycle 6V batteries
that, along with six other batteries under the bonnet,
power his electric ute. Photo by Craig Baxter.
Seeing the crowds of people huddled around two vehicles
yesterday, you could have been forgiven for thinking they were
looking at the latest model cars - instead they were a mini and
a ute converted to run on electric power.
The people had gathered to hear two Dunedin men, Jens Rekker
and Mike Laba, speak about converting cars to use electric
power.
About 90 people were turned away from a previous discussion
by the two men after they filled a 100-seat venue at Otago
Polytechnic.
Yesterday, about 200 filled Logan Park High School's
auditorium.
Mr Rekker said the popularity of the talk was mainly the
result of increasing petrol prices, but some there were
interested because of their quest to be "zero carbon".
Others were interested in the technology.
The talk was a practical guide to backyard conversion
covering the basics such as choosing a car, parts, batteries
and safety.
"We wanted to let people know that it is possible, feasible,
for the average person to do a conversion."
Those attending also had the opportunity to see the men's own
conversions - a mini and a Ford Courier ute.
Mr Rekker said electric cars' engines were 80% efficient
compared with the 15% to 25% efficiency of petrol or diesel
engines.
The catch was an electric car's range - with present
technology any conversion resulted in an "about town" vehicle
not suitable for open-road driving.
"You have to be realistic about what you can do."
The pair have been invited to give their talk in Christchurch
and Invercargill and will display their vehicles at the Otago
Polytechnic's July 12 sustainability expo.
