2023-10-09 08:30:21
Automobiles with internal combustion engines (ICE) are responsible for more than 20% of polluting emissions in Spain, according to the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory (GHG) report. Faced with this problem, Alexander Burton, a student at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University in Australia, has developed an invention that can convert any combustion car into a hybrid in a matter of hours.
The European Union has already established that combustion cars cannot be sold from 2035, which poses a challenge for those who cannot access an electric vehicle due to its high cost. Burton’s invention, called Rapid Electric Vehicle Retrofit (REVR) technology, has won the 2023 James Dyson Award. His kit allows owners of gasoline or diesel vehicles to convert them into hybrids, significantly reducing emissions and increasing electric range up to 150 kilometers.
Burton’s technology differs from traditional approaches, which involve replacing the combustion engine and fuel tank with an electric motor and battery, which is expensive and takes weeks. Instead, its system uses an axial flux motor mounted on the disc brake rotor, a battery that replaces the spare tire, and a sensor attachable to the accelerator. This allows conversion in a few hours and without requiring specialized knowledge.
The kit also includes air conditioning systems, heating systems, controllers and other components necessary for the converted vehicle. Additionally, Burton’s design allows the electric motor to be used for daily commutes, reducing emissions, while the gasoline engine is used for long trips with few charging points.
Burton plans to continue improving his invention and create a set of electric vehicle conversion tools that can be applied to any internal combustion vehicle with a minimum of specialized knowledge. Its simple and economical approach could play an important role in the transition towards more sustainable mobility.
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