Inside of the Otara-based Accelerating Aotearoa, designer Ira Munn is working on The Drop, New Zealand’s first 3D printed electric vehicle. 

New Zealand might be a relatively small country with just over 4.5 million inhabitants, but innovation seems to blossom there. From environmentally friendly devices to a pizza-delivering drone, 3D printing is becoming a promising tool in the local tech scene.

Now, in the town of Otara, South Auckland, the country will soon have its first 3D printed electric car. This futuristic vehicle is called The Drop, and is being design by Ira Munn through the charitable entity Accelerating Aotearoa.

Inside “The Drop”: New Zealand’s First 3D Printed Electric Car

Munn is in the midst of creating The Drop, a 3D printed and three-wheeled electric car. He plans to design this vehicle to be legal on the motorway, ideal for commuters aiming to be environmentally friendly.

The designer has been developing his concept for the past year, working alongside engineering students from Massey University. According to Munn, the electric car kits are constructed from recyclable materials. Additionally, he claims that his project will eliminate the need for assembly lines, which would likely reducing production costs and turnaround times.

Although no photos are readily available, Munn plans to have the first prototype ready by August 2017. By March of next year, he hopes to have his 3D printed electric car on the market for around $10,000.

How Ira Munn Became the Man with the Plan

Munn first arrived in New Zealand with his wife back in 2015, emigrating from the United States. By complete coincidence, the bright engineer met Accelerating Aotearoa’s Judy Speight through Airbnb.

Since then, he’s been a partner of this charitable organization, teaching young people more about 3D printing technology. Munn is known to be a major supporter of public transportation, and believes that The Drop car will help promote sustainability in the local environment.

His plans to create a 3D printed energy-efficient car falls in line with the New Zealand government’s new program. In 2016, they revealed a goal to double the number of electric vehicles within the country each year until they reach 64,000 by 2021.

Munn will showcase The Drop alongside Massey University’s 3D printer at the evworld expo, taking place at Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau this September.

Although New Zealand’s electric car isn’t revealed just yet, you can get a taste for what’s coming by checking out the 3D printed Urban Electric Vehicle video below. This car is designed by Prague startup 4ekolka, and was first unveiled back in 2016.