A trial for electric vehicles is underway in WA, with 11 specially converted electric cars being put on roads throughout Perth.
The extensive trial is generating real data and benefits from a University of WA-led Renewable Energy Vehicle (REV) research project.
UWA hopes that placing trial vehicles into real world situations will provide a comprehensive view of the impact of electric vehicles on WA infrastructure.
Integrated electric vehicle fleet management company CO2 Smart is managing the WA Electric Vehicle Trial program.
The project aims to model and understand driver behaviour and movement patterns for range-restricted electric vehicles, as well as typical charging behaviour.
The vehicles can be recharged using a regular household power outlet or via fast charging stations located around Perth for trial participants.
The prototype vehicle proved most of the core performance parameters in terms of range and acceleration, although the trial saw some significant teething problems, allowing the participants and organisers to learn from it.
Early empirical evidence indicates per kilometre running cost of the electric vehicles are only about 10 per cent of their petrol counterpart.
