Step into any EVolocity workshop, and you’ll see rangatahi planning, designing, and manufacturing electric vehicles – including welding, fabrication, electronics, programming, and testing.
However, beyond the excitement of building vehicles, students are also gaining skills to last a lifetime and discovering new passions that will shape their future.
Hannah Bremner is a shining example of this.
As a student at Mahurangi College, Hannah participated in EVolocity across two consecutive years (in her first year, she and her team built and raced an electric bike. The next, they raced a go-kart).
Reflecting on her time in the programme, Hannah considers it one of her fondest memories from high school.
In the moment, I didn’t realise how much of a core memory EVolocity was becoming. I enjoyed how hands-on it was – building a product and getting to see it all happen
Hannah
Amongst her favourite memories is the annual launch day, where EVolocity students gather for an introduction to the programme, and get inspired for the year ahead.
Across the months that follow, EVolocity students participate in a variety of hands-on workshops alongside mentors and tutors, before competing against each other in a regional ‘race day’ competition that puts the aerodynamic drag, speed, and maneuverability of their vehicles to the test.
For Hannah, getting to see everybody’s ideas come to life at the race day (and realising how differently everyone thinks) was another highlight – although nothing quite compares to getting to race her own vehicle.
Putting the accelerator down, getting to race, and then saying ‘we’ve done it’ … I loved that
Hannah
After completing her final year in high school, Hannah was sad to realise that she wouldn’t be able to participate in EVolocity again. Determined to stay involved, she signed up to be a mentor.
EVolocity mentors lend their skills and experience to a team of students – providing them with ongoing guidance and support to help them produce a race-ready vehicle.
“I love seeing students push their limits”, she says.
But, the impact of EVolocity goes far beyond her experience as a participant or mentor.
She’s now thriving as a first-year engineering student at Canterbury University (with hopes to get into mechanical engineering next year). It was EVolocity that steered her towards this path.
“I always thought I’d study science. I realised that getting to actually apply scientific concepts made me happiest. EVolocity definitely helped me discover that”, Hannah says. “It secured my decision to study engineering”.
EVolocity has also helped her solve problems – both in her studies, and far beyond.
I use EVolocity learnings all the time – in engineering, and in life. When things are challenging or hard, instead of getting upset and dwelling, I can focus on figuring out solutions
Hannah
“The best ideas come from failing miserably”, Hannah laughs. “That’s when you come up with new solutions”.
When asked about what advice she’d pass onto future EVolocity students, it’s simple.
“Don’t give up”.
It has been a pleasure to be a small part of Hannah’s journey, and we’re so proud to see her carry the confidence and skills she cultivated through our programme so strongly into the world.
Thank you so much to all those who make EVolocity possible – and in doing so, are helping build a generation of innovative thinkers and problem-solvers who are well-positioned to help deliver the sustainable infrastructure and clean transportation that our future needs.
