Trev (Two seater renewable energy vehicle)
The
aim of the Trev project is to design, develop, build and
demonstrate a low-mass commuter car powered entirely by
non-polluting renewable energy.
Solar powered racing cars are able to travel 700km in a day at
speeds greater than 90km/h, yet we still drive around town in heavy,
noisy, polluting cars. Over 90% of Australian commuter trips have
only one person in a car. Furthermore, the car typically weighs
10-30 times the weight of the person being transported. Vast amounts
of energy are required to propel these massive machines, and the
conversion of fossil fuels into mobility results in 16% of
Australia's CO2 emissions.
The aim was to design and build a commuter vehicle with:
- two comfortable seats, luggage space, easy entry and exit, and good all-round vision
- a small, aerodynamic body
- energy-efficient tyres, brakes and suspension
- an efficient electric drive system, recharged using renewable energy
- performance at least as good as conventional cars
- compliance with road safety and worthiness regulations
- a commuting range of 100-150km; and
- electrical energy use less than 200kJ/km
More information can be found at Solar cars or contact Dr Peter Pudney.
"TREV" specifications
| Size | 3.3 x 1.2 x 1.2m |
| Mass | 270kg |
| Seats | 2, tandem layout |
| Wheels | 2+1 |
| Tyres | 165/65R14, low rolling resistance |
| Chassis | tub chassis made from aluminium honeycomb |
| Body | foam with fibreglass skin |
| Canopy | blown acrylic |
| Motor | 300kW (peak) pm brushless DC motor |
| Transmission | 2-stage toothed belt, fixed ratio |
| Brakes | disc brakes with retracting callipers |
| Energy source | electricity generated from solar or wind |
| Battery | 44kg lithium ion polymer (7kWh) |
| Range | 150-200km |
| Top speed | 120km/h |
| Acceleration | 0-100km/h in 10 seconds |
| Energy use | less than 1/5 of the energy use of a conventional car |
How much will it cost?
The prototype care cost about $40,000 in materials, parts and machining. most expensive items: battery and custom-built motor, each $10,000. In mass production should be significantly cheaper than a conventional car.