Bright idea sparks Beamer conversion

A metamorphosis is unfolding in a Remuera domestic garage, where James Powell is driving a grand new idea.

The mechanical engineer is converting a BMW 525M wagon from a petrol to electric mode.

The car currently has neither engine nor transmission, but 108 lithium batteries will soon take their place in its big belly. The petrol tank neck has already been replaced with an electric plug.

Mr Powell got the idea when he started reading about electric cars.

“I thought they were a pretty cool idea and a good concept for New Zealand, because we’ve got so much renewable energy capacity,” he said. But when he looked at electric cars they were either “no fun” or “too expensive”.

So he decided to try and convert a car himself. He started the project in March and hopes to be done by Christmas.

James Powell has replaced the petrol filler with an electric plug. Photo: Anna Hjortdal

If the modified BMW was ready to leave the garage, it would be a rare sight on the streets of Auckland. According to the electric vehicle organisation Drive Electric, there are 1663 electric cars on the roads in New Zealand.

By comparison, by the end of 2015 there were 69,100 electric cars in Norway and 7842 in Denmark – two countries of similar size.

However, the Better NZ Trust would like to see that number a lot higher. To mark International Drive Electric Week this week, the trust is organising a number of events to promote electric cars.

“When new technology hits the road, people are often critical to start with. We find that the best way to convince people is to take them for a drive,” said Kathryn Trounson, Better NZ Trust chairperson.

One of the first things James Powell did was pull out the BMW's petrol motor and gear box. Photo: Anna Hjortdal

The up-front cost of an electric vehicle might be another thing holding people back. Mr Powell estimates he will have spent about $30,000 on his electric BMW when it hits the roads. The price of a used electric car starts at $ 15,000.

According to Barry Barton, a Waikato University professor who has conducted research in the area, price is the main barrier to get more electric cars on the roads in New Zealand.

“Even if electric cars are cheaper over time, a lot of social science analysis tell us that it is the upfront cost that affects people’s decisions. That is particularly the case for people who do not have much money,” he said.