Universities' Collaboration Powers Electric Car Research
A recent research partnership between Swinburne University of Technology and Hefei University of Technology (HFUT), China will make things easier for the next generation of electric cars.
The research project, backed by a research grant from AutoCRC, will concentrate on producing lightweight battery-powered electric automobiles
Swinburne’s Dr Weixiang Shen, who formerly held an eight year post at HFUT, is researching on a new charging procedure that will decrease battery charging duration and increase charging capability.
“One of major setbacks for the commercialisation of electric cars is the long charging time. Currently this may take three to five hours and we can’t expect people to wait that long for the battery to charge before they can drive,” Shen said.
“The technology we are developing will re-charge batteries in as little time as 30 to 60 minutes.”
The Swinburne team in collaboration with the CSIRO, the Victorian Partnership for Advanced Computing Ltd (VPAC) and La Trobe University, is also working on retrofitting prevalent cars with battery and motor systems.
“We are refining the development of a prototype electro motor wheel design that eliminates the need for a separate motor and drive-train assembly,” Swinburne’s lead researcher Professor Ajay Kapoor said.
“This technology will lower the cost of electric cars and the weight and energy savings gained could also lead to greater efficiencies in terms of kilometres per electrons.”
The team is also working to enhance the design and assembly process for electric cars.
“Our aim is to simplify current petrol engine cars by using new materials, designs and fewer components,” Kapoor said.
“Our biggest challenge is to develop a strong, but light electric car that can cover long distances at acceptable speeds.”
For this purpose, Swinburne has united with Deakin University, RMIT University and VPAC to create a lighter car framework.
“Reduced vehicle mass will result in reductions in fuel consumption and associated benefits including fuel savings, reduced carbon ‘wheel print’ and materials recycling - without compromising road-worthiness or crash resistance,” Kapoor said.
“Electric cars are the way of the future and China is a major power in this area. Swinburne welcomes this new collaboration with HFUT and the expertise they bring.”
AutoCRC is Australia’s national hub of automotive research of which Swinburne University of Technology is a member.
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