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The UWA REV project hopes to “revolutionise personal transport”, by building vehicles that produce no pollution, powered by electricity from any plug point and viable to both the performance and commercial markets.
 
Additionally it provides a unique opportunity for undergraduates to learn and develop multi-disciplinary teamwork plus innovative, design, leadership, management, marketing, finance and practical skills.
We are currently building our first car: a four-wheel, five-seater commuter vehicle, designed for sustained performance over typical commute distances. Alongside we have begun the design and development of our performance model which we will demonstrate by the end of this year.
The UWA Renewable Energy Vehicle (REV) Project is tackling the
problems created by rising fuel prices and vehicle pollution head-on.
We’re building two cars from the ground up that produces no pollution and is powered by electricity from the power point. Our team is a group of students from the University of Western Australia, acting on our own initiative and fuelled by a passion for a sustainable future.
About REV
The vehicles that clutter our freeways today are completely
dependent on fossil fuels, which create major pollution issues and are
fast running out. In recent years, the price of those fuels has also
risen sharply. Hence the development of renewable energy technologies —
that is, ways of powering a car without relying on petrol or diesel —
has become crucial.
The vehicle that we’re developing is specifically designed to be low
in weight and highly aerodynamic. This will make it highly efficient in
its use of energy, without sacrificing convenience, performance or
style. It will even be road registered, meaning it can be driven using
a standard driver’s licence!
Unlike other ‘concept’ electric cars that never amount to more than
prototypes, our car will be ready to drive and will look much like any
other car you might find on the road. To prove this we are using an
existing production car and converting it to use electricity as its
sole source of propulsion.
Our history
The project started in July 2004 with a small but enthusiastic body
of students, under the supervision of Dr Kamy Cheng and Dr Lawrence
Borle. We were inspired by Tamagawa University’s Solar Car Project, which successfully drove a hybrid solar / fuel cell powered vehicle across Australia, as well as UWA’s own Motorsport team and robotics projects.
In recent years the viablity of the hydrogen economgy has been
questioned. Increasingly, it seems that electricity is stepping up to
the role. Electrical cars are far simpler, cost effective and easier to
charge (can use any ordinary plug point).
In 2008, under the supervision of Dr Thomas Braunl our focus is to
use everything we have learnt in our evolved design to complete our
commercial electric car and begin a interation of design for a
performance electric car.
Once we achieve this stage, a hyrdogen fuel cell and solar technology are a modular power source away!
Our aims
- Demonstrate the viability of using renewable energy sources for transport
- Display the abilities of students from throughout The University of Western Australia
- Create a series of vehicles appropriate for the personal transport
needs of the Australian public as well as a performance series capable
of demonstrating the capability of electric vehicles on the racing
circuit.
- Develop vehicles for as little outlay as possible, and using Australian components, suppliers and manufacturers where possible
- Promote greater research into renewable energy within the University and wider community
In short, we’ll prove that a sustainable transportation future is possible.
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