NTU & TUM Launch Made-In-Singapore Electric Taxi

Named EVA, the electric taxi is specially adapted to the tropics, with energy-efficient air conditioning and other features.

AsianScientist (Apr. 28, 2015) – An electric taxi tailored for tropical megacities has been launched. Named EVA, the electric taxi is built by TUM CREATE, a collaboration between Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and one of Europe’s top universities, Germany’s Technische Universität München (TUM). The project is supported by the National Research Foundation, Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore.

Gracing the unveiling ceremony was His Excellency Dr. Michael Witter, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, accompanied by NTU President Professor Bertil Andersson and TUM Vice President for Research and Innovation Professor Thomas Hofmann.

EVA’s fast-charging battery system is able to give it a range of up to 200 kilometers with just a 15-minute recharge. Despite having to house a large battery pack, EVA is actually 150 kg lighter than other comparable-sized taxis due to its lightweight carbon-fiber composites. Its ergonomically designed seats are equipped with a purpose-built system where moisture and heat are sucked away from the surfaces of the seat, so as to maximize comfort for passengers.

Andersson said the EVA Electric Taxi project is a good example of future electro-mobility and its possibilities, achieved by leveraging NTU’s established track record in application-driven engineering and TUM’s deep expertise in electro-mobility.

“Equally significant is that EVA is the first car ever designed, developed, and manufactured locally. While Singapore is not an automotive manufacturing country, the nation’s economy will definitely benefit in the long run through technology transfer.”

Professor Lam Khin Yong, NTU’s Chief of Staff and Vice President for Research, said many of EVA’s innovations can also be applicable and deployed to other industry sectors in Singapore, such as its energy-efficient air conditioning system and lightweight carbon-fiber composites.

“The innovative energy efficient air conditioning solutions deployed in EVA, like its new energy-efficient compressor technologies, can be adopted in both current and future vehicles to reduce their carbon footprint.”

TUM CREATE will look at testing the car further on the NTU campus. NTU’s complete eco-system of public and private transportation, including public and shuttle buses, private cars, bicycles and prototype autonomous vehicles makes it the ideal living test-bed.

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Source: Nanyang Technological University; Photo: TUM CREATE.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.

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