The Rev project website says REV 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.