The University of Lagos is testing its zero emission vehicle (ZEV) initiated in 2018.
The institution’s deputy vice-chancellor (Academies and Research), Professor Oluwole Familoni, revealed this in an interview with the Nigeria News Agency (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday.
According to him, the production is an invaluable addition to the university’s efforts to prevent the release of toxic emissions into the environment.
He said the initiative was also aimed at encouraging innovation in indigenous engineering.
According to Familoni, UNILAG ZEV is 63% material and 1100% homemade software (Akoka Content) mechatronic automotive device.
He noted that the vice-chancellor of the university, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, inaugurated the UNILAG Zero Emission Vehicle team in 2018.
The team is led by Professor Samson Adeosun of the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering.
He told NAN that in line with the universal desire to minimize global warming, the vehicle was designed eliminate carbon emissionss associated with internal combustion engines, as well as minimize acoustic noise in operation.
“In the concept, the UNILAG ZEV team developed an adaptation and reprogrammable powertrain (drive) system.
“Although the reader train functionality is currently on display with six passenger Sport Utility Shuttle bus Van platform, it can be reconfigured for Support 18 places commuter bus.
“In its show form, the powertrain’s energy management system (EMS) is programmed to provide ultra-low power to realize maximum interval per battery charge cycle at Campus shuttle speed less than 20 km / hour
”On highways, intra or inter–city transits, the EMS is programmed for adaptively overwrite the shuttle mode while minimizing energy consumption.
“These user-specific features are absent on the imported assembly completely reversed. (CKD) electrical components vehicles that have been reported in Nigeria to date, ”Familoni told NAN.
He added that UNILAG ZEV was equipped with an on-board auxiliary power system.
The chemistry teacher said energy backup was available to the driver via a “contact me please at home” on the dashboard.
According to him, the vehicle runs on an improvised reconditioned nickel hydride battery that provides up to five kilometers of range per charge cycle when used in Campus Shuttle mode.
“The range is extendable to 350 km at an optimum average speed of 110 kph in motorway mode, when a suitable lithium-ion battery is installed. “
Commenting on the development, the institution’s vice-chancellor Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe said the product was proof that the institution was deeply committed to demand-driven research.
He said that if he was given more support, the university would do more.
“We need more support to fund research,” he said.
Other members of the team that brought ZEV together include Dr Akinfenwa Fashanu from the University’s Systems Engineering Department, Dr Mohammed Usman (Chemical Engineering) and Dr Adeola Balogun (Electrical and Electronic Engineering. (NAN)
