The electric land speed record

Students also use the SolidWorks COSMOSXpress design analysis tool to analyse their designs and troubleshoot errors prior to production. This tool is particularly important for testing weights and general tolerances.

"We can come up with a fast component design in SolidWorks in less than an hour, and test it in two to three minutes with COSMOSXpress. Other more expensive packages might have to run the same simulation analyses overnight," he said.

Students separate into teams that focus on different areas of the car, such as the drive train, aerodynamics, etc. The teams manage all aspects of design and production, and occasionally seek faculty or external design advice.

"I've essentially entrusted the students to work on their own for mechanical design," said Giorgio Rizzoni, director of the Centre for Automotive Research and the faculty adviser to the students.

"I've got enough confidence in the students and the software to give them autonomy over the project. This is how we help to create a future workforce that grows beyond the classroom, learning about teamwork, sponsorship, and how to use state-of-the-art software."

Rizzoni is also the university's Ford Motor Company Chair in Electromechanical Systems and a professor of mechanical and electrical engineering.

Electric cars - a tradition of speed

The humble, 'green tree-hugging', politically-correct electric car is set for an image make-over of "Queer Eye" proportions in the coming years. As China's growing thirst for oil is driving petroleum prices skywards, we can expect to see the electric car made-over by the auto companies of the world. And the post-enhancement image will be one of power, ease-of-use and reliability.

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