At its meeting on 25 June 2024, the AEVA Board endorsed a proposal from the South Australian Branch to establish a national AEVA Motorsport Development Committee. The Committee will develop, promote, support and operate an AEVA Motorsport Club (AEVAMC) as a registered Motorsport Australia club.

The Committee held its inaugural meeting on 29 July 2024.

Aims

The aims of the Committee (as confirmed at its first meeting) are:

·       to inform AEVA members about EV motorsport opportunities

·       to operate the AEVAMC as a Motorsport Australia club, facilitating members' participation in Motorsport events

·       to work with regulators, administrators, other clubs and partners to mitigate perceived risks and meet the safety requirements for EVs in Motorsport Australia (MA) club events

·       to minimise barriers and costs for AEVA members to participate in EV motorsport

·       to adapt and create motorsport formats that suit EVs (such as Hillclimbs, Sprints, and Speed & Efficiency Trials)

·       to encourage and support the rollout of EV charging infrastructure necessary to EV motorsport

·       to invite and encourage AEVA members to participate in motorsport

*  to engage with secondary schools and tertiary educational institutions

·       to challenge and invite existing motorsport enthusiasts to try EVs (potentially accelerating EV adoption and gaining AEVA new members).

Process

The Committee elected Mike Polljonker as its Chair, and David Sargent as its Secretary. It comprises all interested AEVA members, but with the aim of having at least one representative from each AEVA branch.

The Committee meets on the last Monday of every month (except December). It provides regular reports to the AEVA Board.

Funding, if any, would be identified by the Committee and would require Board approval.