Singapore’s English daily The Straight Times accordingThe R22e was unveiled in Singapore on 28 June by Chee Hong Tat, the country’s Senior Minister of State Transport. On this occasion, Muhammad Nazirul Syahmi, a fourth year student of mechanical engineering, told that he had very few resources for this project. “Many of our simulations and tests had to be built from scratch,” said Syahmi, 24.
Syahmi further explained that he did not have experience with high-voltage systems and EV technology, so he took help from NUS teaching staff to understand how to handle electrical systems. The staff contacted companies in the local industry to organize workshops and self-study for them.
The report further states that the college students have built a total of 19 internal combustion engine race cars over the past 21 years, but the R22e is their first electric race car. The students worked for 18 months to make this car.
According to the vehicle specifications provided by the team to the publication, this electric race car can generate 80 kW of power, and its acceleration and top speed can exceed the performance of similar ICE vehicles built by the team.
NUS FSAE Project Adviser, Professor Seah Kar Heng, said the rapidly growing global electric car market made it important for students to be equipped with knowledge about electric car technologies. Its top speed is 125.4 kmph and it can hold the speed of 0-100 kmph in just 3.9 seconds.