Powertrain Team

The Powertrain team is the most electrically inclined and interdisciplinary of sub teams. Powertrain focuses on making working, reliable power systems for all of our vehicles.

Motor Controllers

The motor controller is the heart of any electric vehicle. It bridges the raw power output of a battery pack and tames it so that the motor does exactly what is needed. We at REVO believe that improvements in motor controller technology still abound and are working towards breaking new ground in this area. Pictured on the right is the Cougar Motor Controller, an open source motor controller with a proven track record. By constructing our own motor controller from scratch, yet still following a well beaten path, REVO intends to build a solid foundation for future experimentation and testing.

Batteries and Battery Management Systems

These batteries, the fuel that propels electric vehicles, are much more powerful than anything you can buy at the store. Working with these cells can be incredibly dangerous and requires careful management. REVO uses the cells pictured on the right: LiFePO4 Thundersky cells, wired in series into ~12 V blocks. While manufacturing our own batteries is well beyond what we have available, there is still much work that can be done. REVO plans to develop 3D printed battery boxes that will not only provide an aerodynamic surface, but will also have a quick connect system that quickly and safety connects the high power lines, battery management cables, and cooling system plumbing to the vehicle.

Transmission

We at REVO like moving fast. REALLY, REALLY fast. This is partly why we got into the electric vehicle world in the first place. While motor controllers and batteries are essential, the transmission is what translates electrical power into mechanical movement.

There is a whole range of topics to explore. Everything from liquid cooled motors for sustained peak output to chain tensioning systems is on the table; it’s only a question of where you want to go.