RMIT Electric Racing

Category: Academic
Contact Name: Alex Da Papa (2012 Leader)
Email: s3165248@student.rmit.edu.au

Provisionally Affiliated for 2012- extended to 28/4/2012

Details Correct As At 10/02/2012

RMIT Electric Racing is a team of university students that design, manufacture, assemble, test and race an electric-powered, sustainable, open-wheeler race car. The car is then presented and demonstrated at the Society of Automotive Engineers Formula SAE competitions nationally and globally, to compete in high intensity dynamic races and team presentation events.

RMIT is majorly committed to a sustainable future and as such RMIT e-racing created Australia's first ever Formula SAE all electric vehicle in order to help our students enter the world of sustainable engineering. This first attempt at an electric vehicle was an exercise in curiosity which saw our students modify an older generation petrol vehicle to run on electric power. Due to its success we decided to design and build a new vehicle from the ground up with a full electric power train and lithium polymer batteries (the 2010 electric vehicle).

RMIT Electric Racing is currently designing and building its third electric vehicle. In 2011 our primary goal is to create a new vehicle which perfects the systems and techniques developed last year whilst producing a zero emissions vehicle in the hope of promoting sustainability within the automotive industry. Some specific specifications of the 2011 vehicle will include:

• Lithium polymer batteries
• Duel DC brushless rear wheel motor drive.
• Electronic Differential System
• Regenerative braking

NB - If you are more interested in ethanol powered cars, please see the RMIT Racing Club page