Projects:2015s1-73 Improved Electric Micro-Bus Design for Nepal

Project 73, titled Electric Vehicle Design and formerly known as Improved Electric Micro-Bus Design for Nepal, consists of group member Lukas Matthews, Jia Yi Lim, Michael Thompson, and Jinyi Lu.

Throughout 2015, Project 73 memebers have looked at the various elements that combine to make practical and functional electric vehicles. Initially the team focussed on improving the "Safa Tempo", an existing electric powered, three wheeled, ten-seater electric taxi that currently operates in Kathmandu, Nepal. Investigation into the shortcomings of this existing technology and the possible performance increases that could implemented was conducted in the first half of the year. However, due to a lack of funding and the horrific earthquake that struck Nepal on the 25th April 2015, it was decided that implementation of this project was no longer possible. From there the team contacted Dr Nesimi Ertugrul who offered to supply the team with the necessary funding to successfully convert his 2003 Mazda MX5 into an electric vehicle. With the help of Dr Carsten Marksgraf, the team was able to investigate the best possible modification methods and was able to successfully implement an Infineon HybridKit1 - PinFin as well as a Toyota Prius MG2 motor into the Mazda vehicle.