The REV Project

Our mission:	Electrify Everything !
	Transport, Households, Industry

Follow @UWAREV

No more burning of coal, gas or petroleum
Make combustion engines obsolete
Use of automation for safety and comfort
Use of Hydrogen only for large ships, planes or long-haul trucks (even heating up stones is more efficient)

The UWA Renewable Energy Vehicle Project (REV) hopes to revolutionise transport by building zero emission and driverless vehicles, with charging networks powered from renewable sources. Vehicle emissions are a major health hazard, similar to passive smoking – every year more people die from vehicle emissions than from road accidents. We need change now!

Autonomous Shuttle Bus	Autonomous Formula-S	Autonomous BMW X5
Hydrofoil Electric Jet Ski	Electric Jet Ski	AutoSIM
Electric Lotus Elise	Electric Hyundai Getz	Electric Ford Focus Trial
DC Fast Charging	AC Charging	REView

The REV team is comprises Engineering staff and students from The University of Western Australia, fuelled by a passion for a sustainable future. REV provides a unique opportunity for students to learn and develop multi-disciplinary teamwork plus innovative, design, leadership, management, marketing, finance and practical skills.
In 2008, we have completed our first EV, the REV ECO, a four-wheel, five-seater commuter vehicle, designed for sustained performance over typical commute distances. In 2009, we have converted the REV RACER, a two-seater performance car using a high performance AC motor and regenerative braking. In 2010, we have built a dual motor driven Formula-SAE race car. In 2013, we are developing a four-motor driven Formula-SAE race car with wheel-hub motors, an electric jet ski and an autonomous SAE race car.

REV Brochures and Reports

Two First Australian Trials have come out of REV, starting in 2010:

The West Australian Electric Vehicle Trial with 11 locally converted Ford Focus
The EV Fast-Charging Network Trial AC Stations and DC Stations
sponsored by the Australian Research Council and several industrial partners

Download Reports:

15. Anniversary

EV Infrastructure

Infra. Summary

WA EV Trial

REV Info

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 vehicles that we are developing are specifically designed to be low-weight and are highly aerodynamic. This will make it highly efficient in its use of energy, without sacrificing convenience, performance or style. All our cars are road registered, meaning they can be driven using a standard driver’s licence!

Unlike other ‘concept’ electric cars that never amount to more than prototypes, our cars are ready to drive and look very much like any other car you might find on the road. To prove this we are using existing production cars as a base and converting them to use an electric motor as its sole source of propulsion.

Our History

REV was re-started in 2008 by Professor Dr. Thomas Braunl (UWA Robotics&Automation, UWA Elec. & Comp. Eng.) and Dr. Kamy Cheng (UWA Mech. Eng.) after a precursor project had looked at hydrogen technologies. In recent years the viability of a hydrogen economy has been questioned and it seems that electric vehicles are stepping up to the role. Electrical cars are far simpler, more cost effective and easy to charge from any ordinary power point.

Our Goals

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.