Car enthusiasts create their electric dreams

Alex de Vos
While the world’s political leaders negotiate a plan to fight global warming at a conference in Copenhagen, a group of Geelong motoring enthusiasts are busy reducing their own carbon emissions.
About two weeks ago resident Karl Haase successfully converted his Suzuki Vitara from petrol to electric in a bid to save money while reducing his carbon footprint.
Mr Haase said he was one of three people in Geelong who had mastered the conversion, which included passing engineering tests and securing car insurance.
The retired technology studies teacher said it took him 22 months to install the electric motor, a controller and a battery pack.
“It’s actually a lot simpler than building a petrol or diesel car,” Mr Haase said.
“It’s fun to drive around, it keeps up with the traffic and it’s really quiet – there’s no vroom vroom.”
Mr Haase said the car could reach a top speed of 100km/h and travel for 20km before recharging.
“I mostly drive around in fourth gear and use the car as my run-around vehicle,” he said.
“It’s just like driving a normal car.”
Mr Haase said the car ran on solar energy and only required servicing every 150,000km.
“So far I’ve done 900km and it’s taken me six months to do that. I’ve got the solar panels on the roof, so my footprint is zippo.”
Mr Haase said the conversion was “very doable”.
He urged other motorists to consider switching from petrol to electric.
“We’ve formed a Geelong Electric Vehicle Group and we meet on the first Friday of every month at the old East tech building,” he said.
“It’s a really good bunch of people. We share ideas and we’re doing things.”