New Zealand Solar Car Challenge

In 2007 Arvus Group International chose to become a major sponsor of the New Zealand solar car, Solar Fern.

Early on in the project, directors Matthew and Julie Simmons became very impressed with the team's approach to the technical challenges and their innovative response to them.

"We could see this was a very smart team, with real potential, says Julie", all members were working together for a common goal.

"We wanted to be part of yet another New Zealand story of a team using the lack of large financial resources to come up with innovative cost effective solutions that can still play with the ‘Big Players’".

The design uses world-unique active aerodynamic technology which, when conditions are right, enables the car to speed along the landscape using almost no electricity.

The car is extremely energy efficient on all levels, Solar, Mechanical and Electrical. With lightweight composite materials and lithium batteries, a high efficiency brushless electric motor, low drag tyres, and 10% the aerodynamic drag of a normal car.

The Solar Fern can travel at over 100kph on less than three horse power.

"The car was designed, tested, built and raced on a ridiculously tiny budget, less than one tenth of most other teams, yet we were still able to outperform more than a dozen international teams", says Rob Glassey, the Project Director.

"The funding and resources that the Arvus Group invested had a big impact at critical times during the projects’ evolution, we are not only thrilled that they are treating our relationship long-term with continued sponsorship but we see them as partner that will ensure us continued success"

In October 2008 the car is being raced again in the South African Solar Challenge, a greuling 4000km international solar car race, widely recognised as the toughest solar car endurance race in the world watch this space.