Few Geelong drivers can claim their car costs nothing to run – but electric vehicle owner Peter Reeve can.
His Holden Rodeo ute was the first registered electric vehicle in Geelong. Another five combustion-engined conversions are under way.
Like Peter, the owners of the five vehicles are all members of Geelong Electric Vehicle group, part of Alternative Technology Association.
And that zero running cost? That’s because Peter has solar panels on the roof of his Belmont house and makes about $2500 a year from the feed-in tariff.
But the financial equation isn’t all positive, Peter admits. The conversion cost about $27,000, including about $11,000 for the 45 batteries slung under the Rodeo’s tray and stacked in its engine compartment.
That was offset by selling the petrol motor, starter and radiator, which were no longer required.
But in the long run, Peter says he will be better off and in fact now plans to transfer the whole conversion into a Proton Jumbuck, a lighter utility that should give him a bit more power and a lot more range.
But the Rodeo certainly has no lack of responsiveness. The electric motor produces an almost jet engine-like whine as it picks up easily in second gear and cruises comfortably in third.
“I just charge the car overnight off-peak. It takes about nine hours to recharge if the batteries are low, otherwise it keeps going on a few top-ups during the week,” Peter explained.
He first became interested in electric vehicles after deciding to give up his speedway racing hobby.
“I watched the documentary ‘Who Killed the Electric Car?’ and my dad retired his Rodeo from farm work, so I had an interest and a car.
“Pre-1900, petrol motors were a novelty. There were more electric-driven cars around.
“Ironically, it was the invention of the (electric) starter motor, thus avoiding the laborious cranking to get cars started, that killed the electric car back then.
“For me it’s quite a change from speedway, where I was trying to go as fast as I could, making a lot of noise, to this.
“It was time consuming to do the conversion but straightforward. I already had the mechanical skills and equipment because of my speedway background.
“Plus, there was lots of help from other members of the electric vehicle group because my car was the guinea pig, the group’s inaugural project.
“It was a learning experience, to see whether it would all work. We proved that conversions are very doable.
“We have five conversions going at the moment, including two BMWs, a Suzuki Mighty Boy, a Citroen van and a Lancer.
“I never used to have a green bone in my body but I’m quite environmental now,” Peter chuckled.
“The monthly group meetings keep us up to date on the latest research, trends and technology and often we will go to events and put on a display or demonstration.
“We did one at Belmont market on electric bicycles recently. We can now do a conversion in 15 minutes.”
Peter said anyone interested in joining Geelong Electric Vehicle group, which meets at South Barwon Civic Centre, could phone him on on 0407 844 604 or visit ata.org.au/branches/geelong-ev-group.
