Roll-Royce reveals new sports EV for kids to drive for surgeries

Luxury car maker Rolls-Royce has developed a new single-seater electric sports car for children to drive themselves to surgeries at hospitals. The vehicle is the result of over 400 hours of spare time devoted by engineers of the firm.

7-year-old Hari Rajyaguru, besides 8-year Molly Matthews, who is at the wheels at the Rolls Royce factory

The car, SRH, has been hand-built for child patients at St Richard's Hospital Paediatric Day Surgery Unit in Chichester, West Sussex. It will allow kids to drive themselves to the operating theatre in an attempt to reduce their anxiety and stress.

Rolls-Royce departed from its normal practice of letting its chief executive do the honours of the first drive. Instead, two young patients from St Richard's, 8-year Molly Matthews,  and 7-year Hari Rajyaguru, were chauffeur-driven to Rolls-Royce's HQ in Goodwood where they drove the SRH around the factory.

The SRH is powered by a 24-volt gel battery and is capable of a top speed of 10 mph, which can be limited to 4 mph when it is driven down the corridors of the hospital.

Lawrie Mewse, project leader of the Rolls-Royce SRH, said, "I am immensely proud of what the team has achieved. This project showcases the amazing skills and technology that exist in the Bespoke Manufacturing Team and across every area at the Home of Rolls-Royce here at Goodwood."

The specially-designed Rolls Royce SRH, measures 165cm in length, is 80cm wide and is 70 cm in height.

The Sun  quoted Sue Nicholls, paediatric matron at the Western Sussex Hospitals NSH Foundation Trust, said, ''It's wonderful seeing a smiley face on the way to theatre, rather than an apprehensive one, and everyone caring for children at St Richard's is so grateful to Rolls-Royce for this unique donation.

''We know boys and girls alike will love driving it and in the coming years it will help turn a daunting experience into a more fun and enjoyable one for hundreds and hundreds of children.''