Australians develop sleek, green Trev

Brought to you by the staff and students of the University of South Australia, the Trev operates on just a fifth of the energy required by your every day car. It uses a lithium ion polymer battery that allows the car to travel just over 90 miles (city driving) on a full

charge. The Trev only weighs about 660 lbs. and is made of a composite tub chassis with foam and plastic body panels. It has a single rear wheel that simplifies the suspension and allows for a more efficient transmission. The Trev has a top speed of about 75 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in under 10 seconds.

The body is sleek and aerodynamic. There are two seats (research shows about 90% of urban trips only have two people in the car) and cargo room for two overnight bags. An acrylic canopy that opens skyward allows for panoramic views.

Last October students drove the Trev from Darwin to Adelaide (about 1900 miles) in 6 days. They drove 50 - 75 miles before stopping to recharge, and drove at speeds of 50 - 55 mph. The energy consumption was about 6.2 kWh/60 miles. The average cost of a kilowatt hour is 8.76¢, so the whole trip cost less than $20. Do the math for gas at to figure out the enormous savings. Most importantly, there are zero emissions (assuming your charging energy came from a clean source).

Though it is probably not the most convenient vehicle for cross country trips, the Trev seems ideal for urban transportation. No emissions and much less noise than gas engines, plus they are small. There's no need for a hulking, gas guzzling behemoth that won't fit in any spaces just to drive about the city.

[via UniSA]