An Australian student, Alexander Burton, has been awarded the prestigious James Dyson Award for his invention, the Rapid Electric Vehicle Retrofit device (REVR). The system is an axial flux motor that can be mounted to a vehicle’s wheel hub without the need to remove the brake assembly. The motor is powered by a battery pack located in the spare wheel well of the vehicle, providing enough electricity for up to 150km of range on a single charge.
Burton initially developed the REVR system as a personal project to improve the fuel economy of his 20-year-old Toyota Corolla. However, after learning about the James Dyson Awards, he decided to take his invention more seriously. The REVR system won the national award in Australia and may soon be selected for the international stage.
According to Burton, the retrofit system is a cost-effective and efficient solution to converting fossil fuel-powered vehicles into electric vehicles (EVs). He believes that replacing the entire fleet with new EVs would be too slow, expensive, and environmentally harmful due to the manufacturing process. The REVR system offers a powerful electric retrofit kit that can be quickly installed in the wheels of almost any vehicle.
This innovative invention has the potential to make a significant impact on the transition to electric mobility. By providing a solution that can be easily implemented without the need for extensive modifications, Burton’s REVR system could accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles on a global scale.
Source: The Driven, Australian Associated Press