College Students Lead the Way in Alternative Vehicles

Designed and built by staff and students at the University of South Australia, the Trev (Two-seater Renewable Energy Vehicle) makes petrol look silly, according to an article published on the University of South Australia website. The Trev is a three-wheeled vehicle that weighs just 595 pounds and is powered strictly by electricity, using 1/5 the energy required by a conventional car.

Performance

The Trev is in the process of being registered as roadworthy for travel on South Australia roads, and despite being primarily intended as a prototype for an urban commuting vehicle, it has some impressive performance credentials. According to Warren McLaren writing for Tree Hugger, the Trev's electric motor gives smooth, quiet acceleration from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in 10 seconds, with a top speed of 120 kph (75 mph). It uses a 5.5 kWh 40-kg lithium ion polymer battery, powering a 25 kW permanent magnet brushless DC motor delivering 6000 rpm, with a travel range of over 90 miles between charges.

According to the student designers and builders, the battery delivers about five times as much energy as the same mass of lead-acid batteries. Using a conventional household outlet, the battery could be recharged in 3 to 4 hours, and with a high-power outlet, in just over an hour. They say the battery will eventually need replacing, but they expect it to last over 150,000 miles.

Efficiency

The Trev is designed for efficiency. With sleek, aerodynamic styling, the low weight of the Trev is achieved with an aluminum honeycomb chassis, foam and fiberglass body panels, and three low-mass alloy wheels providing low rolling resistance. The single rear drive wheel simplifies the suspension, which consists of a short-long arm wishbone up front and a trailing arm in the rear. According to the students who designed and built the Trev, the 2-stage, toothed belt, 6:1 fixed ratio transmission delivers maximum torque when needed, at low speed.